He had been brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I…
““He had been brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with one another for his diversion, while sitting at the table after dinner, but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Franklin warns that encouraging constant argument in children leads to unproductive conflict and loss of goodwill, despite occasional victories.
In simple terms: Constant arguing harms relationships.
Key Takeaway
Foster constructive discussion.
Themes
communication
conflict
relationships
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
advisory
When to use this quote
- parenting
- team meetings
- negotiations
- community forums
Key Concepts
argumentation
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is disagreement beneficial?
- How can you balance critique with cooperation?
A Different Perspective
Some conflict can spark innovation.