Michael Martin Quotes

We can argue and we can disagree, but we don’t need to poke our fingers in each other’s eyes in order to get our points across.

Civility is not not saying negative or harsh things. It is not the absence of critical analysis. It is the manner in which we are sharing this territorial freedom of political discussion. If our discourse is yelled and screamed and interrupted and patronized, that's uncivil.

I don’t expect anyone to just sit there and agree with me, that’s not their job.

We need to in this country begin again to raise civil discourse to another level. I mean, we shout and scream and yell and get very little accomplished, but you can disagree very much with the next guy and still be friends and acquaintances.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

We may disagree on some things, but we can do so without being disagreeable.

Public discussion demands at least the profession of good faith.

I don't believe that using inflammatory rhetoric on either side of a debate is productive.

Dialogue between people of differing views is critical for fostering understanding in a democracy.

Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word.

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.

If you're going to come at me, come at me respectfully, and I will respond respectfully.

We shall seek debate without division or rancour.

…in every locality we should look beyond our noses; and at least say nothing on points where it is probable we shall disagree.

Somewhere in this we got into impugning people's character and motives if we didn't like their ideas. We gotta get back to just debating ideas.

I get very very concerned when I hear people start characterizing their opponents as stupid. I still understand that because politics is a little rough and tumble at times, but I don’t buy it and when they start calling each other either crazy or evil. You and I, we don’t compromise with crazy people or evil people. And so, I don’t think that’s helpful. Generally speaking, just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them crazy or evil.

You can disagree without being disagreeable.

You don't hear much crosstalk on 'The Five.' When you try to make a point, the other person will back off.

Elected officials need to stop with the name calling and hateful statements.

You can disagree without being disagreeable. That's always been my mantra.

If you let things devolve into a shouting match, then it's really difficult to have a discussion, a serious discussion.

There is a way to disagree with someone, but it doesn't have to be threatening.

I enjoy the debate... I haven't met a single person in Congress yet that I dislike. It's not about moderating your views: it's about being able to talk about them and defending them in a way that's uplifting to people.

Debate is so much better than denial.

You should be able to voice your opinion and respect the voice of the other side. You should be willing to educate yourself and know what it is you're dealing with.