---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The skilful disputant well knows that he…"
description: "\"The skilful disputant well knows that he never has his enemy at more advantage than when, by allowing the premises, he shows him arguing wrong from his..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/william-warburton-36719_advantage_the-skilful-disputant-well-knows-that-he_56512.jpg"
---

#  The skilful disputant well knows that he never has his…

![“The skilful disputant well knows that he never has his enemy at more advantage than when, by allowing the premises, he shows him arguing wrong from his own principles.” quote by William Warburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/william-warburton-36719_advantage_the-skilful-disputant-well-knows-that-he_56512.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/william-warburton-36719_advantage_the-skilful-disputant-well-knows-that-he_56512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/william-warburton-36719_advantage_the-skilful-disputant-well-knows-that-he_56512.jpg)

> “The skilful disputant well knows that he never has his enemy at more advantage than when, by allowing the premises, he shows him arguing wrong from his own principles.”

[William Warburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-warburton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A skilled debater turns an opponent’s own premises against them, exposing contradictions without granting them advantage.

**In simple terms:** Use opponent’s logic to reveal flaws.

Key Takeaway

Leverage premises to defeat arguments.

Themes

critical thinking rhetoric logic argumentation strategy

Mood

analytical strategic confident

Type

aphor advice

When to use this quote

- formal debates
- legal cross‑examination
- political negotiations
- academic discussions

Key Concepts

premise analysis contradiction exposure ethical persuasion

Practical Applications

- teaching debate tactics
- designing persuasive content

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you identify the core premises in an opponent’s claim?
- When might this tactic backfire?

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