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"He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak"

Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne Philosopher
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Quote meaning
When someone tries to convince others by raising their voice or using force, it often means they don’t have a strong argument. This idea isn't new; it’s been around for a long time. It’s a bit like when you’re in a heated debate and the other person starts shouting and hammering the table. You can easily tell that their logic isn’t holding up, so they resort to volume and aggression instead.

Historically, you’ll find examples of this in political speeches or even in personal disagreements. Think about a time when a political leader was trying to push through an unpopular law. Instead of presenting solid facts and figures, they might start speaking louder, trying to sway the audience with sheer force of personality.

Let’s make this real with a story. Imagine two coworkers, Alex and Jamie, who are debating the best approach for a new project. Alex is calm, presenting data and well-thought-out reasons for their proposal. Jamie, on the other hand, starts to get flustered because they don’t have as much evidence to support their idea. Instead of coming up with better arguments, Jamie raises their voice and interrupts Alex constantly. The rest of the team can see through this – they realize that Jamie’s idea isn’t as solid because Jamie has to rely on noise instead of logic.

So, what can you learn from this? If you ever find yourself in a discussion where you feel the urge to get louder or more aggressive, take a step back. Ask yourself if you’ve adequately prepared your arguments. Are you confident in the facts and reasons you’re bringing to the table? If not, maybe it’s time to do a bit more homework.

Now, picture this: you’re at a family dinner, and a relative starts a debate about something controversial. They’re getting louder and more forceful with every word, trying to dominate the conversation. If you want to respond effectively, stay calm. Make your points clearly and logically, without raising your voice. It might be hard, but you’ll come across as more credible and reasonable. The relative’s volume and aggression will only highlight the weakness in their argument.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and think that being louder will make you win. But the next time you find yourself in a heated debate, remember that true strength lies in solid reasoning and clear communication. You don’t need to shout to be heard; sometimes, a calm and well-structured argument speaks volumes more than any amount of noise ever could.
Related tags
Argumentation Authority Communication Critical thinking Debate Logic Persuasion Reason Rhetoric Weakness
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