Remember that what pulls the strings is the force hidden within; there lies the power to persuade, there the life—there, if one must speak out, the real man.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
If I have said something to hurt a man once, I shall not get the better of this by saying many things to please him.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Oral delivery aims at persuasion and making the listener believe they are converted. Few persons are capable of being convinced; the majority allow themselves to be persuaded.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If you wish to win a man over to your ideas, first make him your friend.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Whenever he met a great man he groveled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Would you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward.
—James Thurber
People have a peculiar pleasure in making converts, that is, in causing others to enjoy what they enjoy, thus finding their own likeness represented and reflected back to them.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
For your own good is a persuasive argument that will eventually make a man agree to his own destruction.
—Janet Frame (1924–2004) New Zealand Novelist, Short-Story Writer
If you can’t get people to listen to you any other way, tell them it’s confidential.
—Common Proverb
For every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
Not brute force but only persuasion and faith are the kings of this world.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Persuasion is better than force.
—Common Proverb
If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
To make converts is the natural ambition of everyone.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
—Sun Tzu (fl.c.544–496 BCE) Chinese General, Military Theorist
The tongue can paint what the eye can’t see.
—Chinese Proverb
The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
The object of oratory alone in not truth, but persuasion.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–59) English Historian, Essayist, Philanthropist
He that winna be ruled by the rudder maun be ruled by the rock.
—Scottish Proverb
Why harass with eternal purposes a mind to weak to grasp them?
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Nothing is so unbelievable that oratory cannot make it acceptable.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
When once a man is determined to believe, the very absurdity of the doctrine does but confirm him in his faith.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
The secret is to always let the other man have your way.
—Claiborne Pell (1926–2019) American Politician
Call the bald man, “Boy;” make the sage thy toy; greet the youth with solemn face; praise the fat man for his grace.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
There is a holy, mistaken zeal in politics, as well as in religion. By persuading others, we convince ourselves.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
I don’t know the rules of grammar. If you’re trying to persuade people to do something, or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language.
—David Ogilvy (1911–99) British-American Advertising Executive
The persuasion of a friend is a strong thing.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
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