I call the discourse of power any discourse that engenders blame, hence guilt, in its recipient.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Every argument is incapable of helping unless it is singular and addressed to a single person. Therefore, one who discourses in any other way presumably does so from love of reputation.
Our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect.
As I say, I'm a discourse advocate. What form it comes is less important to me than the fact that there is discourse.
Malice scorned, puts out itself; but argued, give a kind of credit to a false accusation.
Attribution is power.
The duty of rhetoric is to deal with such matters as we deliberate upon without arts or systems to guide us, in the hearing of persons who cannot take in at a glance a complicated argument or follow a long chain of reasoning.
A word after a word after a word is power.
Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These are the true aims and duties of criticism.
Guilt is a supreme waste of time and energy.
Victims suggest innocence. And innocence, by the inexorable logic that governs all relational terms, suggests guilt.