"We are most likely to get angry and excited in our opposition to some idea when we ourselves are not quite certain of our own position, and are inwardly tempted to take the other side." — Thomas Mann
#ddtb
Embedded Link
Mann, Thomas – Buddenbrooks, 8.2 (1902) [tr. Lowe-Porter (1924)] | WIST Quotations
We are most likely to get angry and excited in our opposition to some idea when we ourselves are not quite certain of our own position, and are inwardly tempted
111 view(s)
This quote is often used to get the other side to shut up. Stated as fact, it overlooks the fact that some things really do matter and have already been discussed “calmly” and “respectfully”.
Hmmm. I certainly wouldn’t want to suppress discussion. That said, there are certainly cases where folks dial their argumentation up to twelve to drown out their own ability to keep hearing the opposition and entertain those doubts.