Poor loser

When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.  Socrates

Have you ever listened to yourself when you've lost the debate/argument/fight?  What do you resort to when you've lost and you realize it?  Have you ever noticed that it generally is slander of some sort?  I'm ashamed, or perhaps human enough, to admit that I can see that in myself.  Slander comes in a lot of forms. It's not always overt or obvious.  Sometimes it is subtle and it doesn't always use words.  Sometimes it comes through actions.  Why do we do that?  Why do we feel the need to slander those that have perhaps made better points than us or have actually proved us incorrect/inaccurate?  Are we so insecure that we lower ourselves to slander when we can't debate well?  It's a lack of character that leads us to behave in this way. When I notice it in myself, whether others notice it or not, I am quick to put the brakes on and change the direction I'm headed.  I don't like it when I am a poor loser, is it fair of me to assume that you don't like it when you are one either?