‘O grandson of Conn, Cormac,’ said Carpre, ‘what is the worst pleading and arguing?’ ‘Not hard to tell,’ said Cormac. ‘ Seventeen signs of bad pleading, viz.
’
- Contending against knowledge,
5] taking refuge in bad language,
much abuse,
contending without proofs,
stiffness of delivery,
a muttering speech,
10] hair-splitting,
uncertain proofs,
despising books,
turning against customs,
talking in too loud a voice,
15] shifting one's pleading,
inciting the multitude,
fighting everybody,
blowing one's own trumpet,
shouting at the top of one's voice,
20] swearing after judgment.