Careful Words

reasoning (n.)

reasoning (adj.)

  Think on this doctrine,—that reasoning beings were created for one another's sake; that to be patient is a branch of justice, and that men sin without intending it.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 a d): Meditations. iv. 3.

Who combats bravely is not therefore brave,

He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave:

Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise,—

His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 115.