 What the vulgar person calls “disputation” is not disputation at all. That he should call it disputation, though it is not, is probably because he has heard the name “disputation” but does not know its actuality. Accordingly, we regard this as preposterous. The person who is commonly referred to as “disputer” is, in fact, a glib person. The glib person readily embellishes the tone of his voice and multiplies his retorts, just like the onset of a gale, or the downpour of a rainstorm. Disregarding the inherent rights and wrongs of a situation, and not understanding the principles of truth and distortion, he fixes it so that he is never at a loss for words and works at securing certain victory. […] Disputation is about persuading people in their hearts; it is not about verbal submission. Hence disputation is to articulate distinctions, and also to separate and distinguish different categories of affairs skillfully, so as to arrange them clearly. Disputation does not mean being quick-witted in one’s words and speech to talk over people’s heads. (Zhonglun 8.1, Makeham [trans] 2002: xxiv–xxv)