More often than not, the reason why people disagree with the truth is because they feel insulted by the form in which it is delivered to them.
A nascent quarrel is like a torrent breaking its way through a dam: once it breaks through, you can no longer hold it back.
— The Talmud
A person can easily start an argument, but, like a blazing fire, it is difficult to extinguish.
The moment you feel anger during an argument, you are no longer arguing for the truth, but for yourself.
— Carlyle
I can never convince another person other than by his own thoughts. Therefore I must assume that his mind is good and sound; otherwise it is useless to hope that I can win him over to my side with my arguments. Likewise, I cannot touch the heart of another person other than by his own feelings. Therefore I must assume that the other person has a certain goodness of heart; otherwise he will never feel disgusted by vice and motivated by virtue at my depiction of vice and my praises of virtue.
— Kant
In disputes, try to make your words soft and your arguments firm. We must not annoy our opponent, but convince him.
— Wilkins
Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.
— Penn
Even if the speaker is insane, listener: be wise!
A gentle reply alleviates anger; offensive words excite rage.
If a person deserves praise, try not to deny it to him, else you may not only turn him away from the right path by depriving him of the support and approval he needs, but would also deprive yourself of the joy of giving a person credit for his effort.
— John Ruskin
If you know the truth, or at least think you do, then communicate it as simply as possible and, most important, in a way that is as gentle and loving as possible towards the one you are sharing it with.
