ARGUMENT

Years ago, a large statue of Christ was erected high in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile. Called "Christ of the Andes," the statue symbolizes a pledge between the two countries that as long as the statue stands, there will be peace between Chile and Argentina. Shortly after the statue was erected, the Chileans began to protest that they had been slighted -- the statue had its back turned to Chile. Just when tempers were at their highest in Chile, a Chilean newspaperman saved the day. In an editorial that not only satisfied the people but made them laugh, he simply said, "The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans. 

Bits & Pieces, June 25, 1992.

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. 

Sydney J. Harris, Field Newspaper Syndicate.

Ever notice that when a fellow says he agrees with you in principle, he's invariably getting ready to argue with you?

Source Unknown.

Any argument has two sides, and they're usually married to each other.

Traditional.

Family councils often lead to fair solutions of problems between members. Draw up a list of rules for family council meetings that are agreeable to all, such as: 1. Anyone can tell parents how he/she feels, and ask for a meeting. 2. At the meeting, everyone can say what he/she thinks about a situation. 3. Instead of fixing blame, the council must try to understand why there's a problem. 4. The council will try to create a solution that's fair to all. Purpose: To encourage family participation in rule making and problem solving. 

Paul Lewis, Homemade, Vol. 11, No. 2.

Maxwell Perkins, the famous book editor, once wrote, "One of my deepest convictions is that the terrible harms that are done in this world are not done by deliberately evil people, who are not numerous and are soon found out. They are done by the good--by those who are so sure that God is with them. Nothing can stop them, for they are certain that they are right. 

Maxwell Perkins, quoted by Father Henry Fehren in U.S. Catholic, May 1986.

Disputes between married couples are no different from those between friends outside of marriage. Few friendships can survive constant or frequent quarrels. Friends learn to curb the impulse to say bitter words in the interest of preserving the friendship. In the same way, happily married couples learn to withhold the bitter criticism or cutting retort in order to avoid unpleasantness and to enjoy greater companionship. 

Judson T. Landis in Homemade, November, 1987. 

POEMS

A horse can't pull while kicking.
This fact we merely mention.
And he can't kick while pulling,
Which is our chief contention.

Let's imitate the good old horse
And lead a life that's fitting;
Just pull an honest load, and then
There'll be no time for kicking.

Bits & Pieces, May 1990, p. 7.