Quote by Samuel Butler

Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.


Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home bu

Summary

This quote suggests that arguments, similar to firearms, can be potent and potentially divisive tools. While one might possess opinions and ideas (arguments) of significance, it is best to keep them within the confines of private space rather than actively wielding them in public or social situations. Just as carrying firearms can lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes, carrying arguments around can result in confrontations and conflicts. It emphasizes the importance of using discretion and moderation when engaging in discussions, advocating for thoughtful and measured approaches to communication.

By Samuel Butler
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Random Quotations

I believe in political equality. But there are two opposite reasons for being a democrat. You may think all men so good that they deserve a share in the government of the commonwealth, and so wise that the commonwealth needs their advice. That is, in my opinion, the false, romantic doctrine of democracy. On the other hand, you may believe fallen men to be so wicked that not one of them can be trusted with any irresponsible power over his fellows. That I believe to be the true ground of democracy. I do not believe that God created an egalitarian world. I believe the authority of parent over child, husband over wife, learned over simple to have been as much a part of the original plan as the authority of man over beast. I believe that if we had not fallen, patriarchal monarchy would be the sole lawful government. But since we have learned sin, we have found, as Lord Acton says, that all power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The only remedy has been to take away the powers and substitute a legal fiction of equality. The authority of father and husband has been rightly abolished on the legal plane, not because this authority is in itself bad (on the contrary, it is, I hold, divine in origin), but because fathers and husbands are bad. Theocracy has been rightly abolished not because it is bad that learned priests should govern ignorant laymen, but because priests are wicked men like the rest of us. Even the authority of man over beast has had to be interfered with because it is constantly abused.

C.S. Lewis