Quotes About Persuasion

If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without them knowing it.

In almost every act of our lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons [...] who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind, who harness old social forces and contrive new ways to bind and guide the world.

We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.

Propaganda is the executive arm of the invisible government.

The three main elements of public relations are practically as old as society: informing people, persuading people, or integrating people with people. Of course, the means and methods of accomplishing these ends have changed as society has change. -Public Relations (1952)

True, This! — Beneath the rule of men entirely great The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold The arch-enchanters wand! — itself is nothing! — But taking sorcery from the master-hand To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword — States can be saved without it!

The pen is mightier than the sword! a

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

A single fact can spoil a good argument.

The fewer clear facts you have in support of an opinion, the stronger your emotional attachment to that opinion.

If you aren't consciously aware, you're vulnerable to either being brainwashed or being influenced by forces within you that you have no awareness of at all.

Antony was eventually persuaded to back Octavian and abandon any thought of going over to Sextus.

Tiberius was persuaded to remain silent. The matter was closed.

No, far better for the queen to be persuaded to do away with herself.

Cicero was nothing if not a genius at character assassination.

And before you interrupt me, Colin, you're probably one of them. He had you twisted round his little finger.

Provided someone can persuade me, I will invest in anything.

In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there's no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.

Advertising is so touchy-feely. You have to speak to the psyche of the people. I'm not very good at that.

Psychologically, when you hear something a number of times, you start to believe it.

In psychology and behavioral economics, people have shown that if you just describe options in a certain way, or make some features of a situation salient, you can get people to do and even see what you want. You don't have to be a Jedi to manipulate people's attention.

Persuasiveness takes finesse; it takes an understanding of human psychology. And intention is everything.