Noted by Terry Teachout in his “Almanac” feature:

“He recognized that common, much litigated type of human disagreement in which each party to it insists on reducing his opponent’s position or contention to its bare essentials–yes or no; did he, or did he not, still beat his wife?–while asserting the right to state his own position or contention with every circumstantial distinction preserved. High indignation and conflicting strong senses of righteousness resulted.”

James Gould Cozzens, Guard of Honor

Filed under: overzealous advocacy