Drawing forceful distinctions and being civil are not mutually exclusive.
Thoughtful people of different political philosophies can disagree, but in a very agreeable manner.
I don't want to argue with you Mr. Speaker. I'm just trying to give you my thoughts.
I believe that there's a way to question authority with manners, with dignity. There's no reason to be rude about it.
You may be right,' she said, a phrase which here meant 'I’m wrong, but I don’t have the courage to say so.
I do not say this, that I think there should be no difference of opinions in conversation, nor opposition in men's discourses... 'Tis not the owning one's dissent from another, that I speak against, but the manner of doing it.
The injunction to be nice is used to deflect criticism and stifle the legitimate anger of dissent.
Whether in families or in politics, a good observation: "One can disagree without being disagreeable."
The fact is there are many women who nod politely, even agree openly within their male-dominated often highly educated cultures, but vote their own minds.
Sometimes people say something to you and you're like, "I respect you so much, I love what you do, but I disagree. I don't think that's right for the way I see it."
We may disagree on some things, but we can do so without being disagreeable.
The art of conversation is to be prompt without being stubborn, to refute without argument, and to clothe great matters in a motley garb.
I think that Canadians have an incredible reverence for authority and regard for authority, and I think one of the healthy ways that it's challenged is through questioning it, through the polite hostility of comedy.
I was raised in Duluth, Minnesota, where you never say that you're cold, or that you're suffering, and you listen politely to people, even if you disagree with them completely. Then you say passive-aggressive things later.
The humanity of famous intellectuals lies in being wrong with gracious courtesy when dealing with those who are not famous.
