To start blindly with a statement is a sign of arrogance and narrow-mindedness,and will lead to conflict. To start blindly with a question is a sign ofuncertainty and honesty, and will lead to wisdom.
Conflictis the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. Itinstigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplikepassivity, and sets us at noting and contriving.
Ialways cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think,well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a singlepolitical argument left.