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About this quote

What does it mean?
Debates over truth often lead to conflict where neither side fully claims it.
In plain terms
Scholars fight over facts and both end up denying the truth.
What can you take from it?
Avoid heated disputes that obscure the truth.

Where it applies

  • academic debate
  • political argument
  • work discussion

Putting it to work

  • seek consensus
  • avoid ego
  • focus on facts

Questions to consider

  • Can you argue without losing sight?
  • How do you find truth?

Another view

Some contention is necessary to uncover deeper truths.

More from William Cowper

  1. Dream after dream ensues; And still they dream that they shall still succeed; And still are disappointed.

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  2. From reveries so airy, from the toil Of dropping buckets into empty wells, And growing old in drawing nothing up.

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  3. I was a stricken deer that left the herd Long since.

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