Agree to disagree

{{short description|Tolerating but not accepting another's position}}

To "agree to disagree" is to resolve a conflict (usually a debate or quarrel) by having all parties tolerating but not accepting the opposing positions. It generally occurs when all sides recognize that further conflict would be unnecessary, ineffective or otherwise undesirable.

Origin

In 1770, the phrase "agree to disagree" appeared in print in its modern meaning when, at the death of George Whitefield, John Wesley wrote a memorial sermon which acknowledged but downplayed the two men's doctrinal differences:

{{Quote|There are many doctrines of a less essential nature ... In these we may think and let think; we may 'agree to disagree.' But, meantime, let us hold fast the essentials...Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. Sermons. [http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/53/2/ On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, page 2.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011170130/http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/53/2/ |date=October 11, 2008 }} Retrieved on 20 April 2009.}}

In a subsequent letter to his brother Charles, Wesley attributed it to Whitefield (presumably George Whitefield): "If you agree with me, well: if not, we can, as Mr. Whitefield used to say, agree to disagree."Whitehead, John. The life of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A.

[https://books.google.com/books?id=ndsGAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22agree+to+disagree%22&pg=PA529] 1793, p. 529. Retrieved on 27 September 2012. Whitefield had used it in a letter as early as June 29, 1750.

{{Quote|After all, those who will live in peace must agree to disagree in many things with their fellow-labourers, and not let little things part or disunite them."Whitefield, George. The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, Volume 2 [https://archive.org/details/worksreverendge04whitgoog/page/n291 ] 1771, p. 362. Retrieved on 20 September 2013}}

Though Whitefield and Wesley appear to have popularized the expression in its usual meaning, it had appeared in print much earlier (1608) in a work by James Anderton, writing under the name of John Brereley, Priest, although his usage lacks the implication of tolerance of differing beliefs.

And as our learned adversaries do thus agree to disagree in their owne translations, mutually condemning (as before) each other... (The Protestants Apologie for the Roman Church Deuided into three seuerall Tractes){{cite book |last1=Brereley |first1=John |title=The Protestants Apologie for the Roman Church Deuided into three seuerall Tractes |date=1608 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=srlbAAAAQAAJ&q=%22agree+to+disagree%22&pg=PA259}}

The phrase "agree to differ" appeared in the early part of the 18th century in a sermon by John Piggott: "And now why should we not agree to differ, without either enmity or scorn?"Piggott, John. Eleven Sermons.

[https://books.google.com/books?id=ARkHAAAAQAAJ&dq=%22agree+to+differ%22&pg=PA290] 1714, p. 290. Retrieved on 27 September 2012. (Sermon on Union and Peace, preach'd to several Congregations, April 17, 1704).

References

Category:English phrases

Agree to disagree

Origin

See also

References