persuasion

People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.

In any profession, you will be respected if you are good at your job _ not because you are good at talking about your beliefs. It may be quite irrational, but the fact is that, if you are recognized as being outstanding on one thing, you will be listened to on all sorts of subjects in no way related to it... and so, if you are going to be really effective [for your cause] in your place of work, you must set out to be the best man at your job.

I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.

Most people would instantly start feeling ten years older if someone were to convince them that they were actually born a decade before their birthdate.

Our hatred of government is not caused mainly by government's goals, whatever their wisdom, but by government's techniques." Philip Howard

The age can be impressed. Anything will be accepted by men if you will but preach it with tremendous enthusiasm, emotion, persuasionnergy and living earnestness.

In intertwining sentimentality, healing, narcissism, and authority, modern evangelicals give authority to those emotions themselves...The sentimental becomes evidence and authority in a world in which most evangelicals have given up intellectual pursuits and concerns over doctrine. Essentially, sentimentality represents an abandonment of theology and critical introspection in popular evangelicalism. Instead of crafting intellectual responses to the challenges to evangelicalism, popular evangelicals appeal to the power of feeling as an authority to counteract science and criticism of the Bible. They offer their audiences the opportunity to FEEL that evangelicalism is right rather than asking them to accept the veracity of doctrinal positions of evangelicalism.

You went to school," Lee said. "I mean, at some point. And it didn't suit you very well. They wanted to teach you things you didn't care about. Dates and math and trivia about dead presidents. They didn't teach persuasion. Your ability to persuade is the single most important determinant of your quality of life, and they didn't cover that at all. Well, we do. And we're looking for students with natural aptitude.

Even in a hostile press conference with hostile questions there was drama, and he could benefit from the drama and the hostility. He mastered the greatest art of television, appearing to be spontaneous without in fact being spontaneous.

In Martin Luther's life and behavior is very courteous and friendly, and there is nothing of the stern stoic or grumpy fellow about him. He can adjust to all occasions. In social gathering he is gay, witty, ever full of joy, always has a bright and happy face, no matter how seriously his adversaries threatening him. One can see that God's strength is within him. _ Petrus Mosellanus

It would behoove you to have your thesis finely tuned and the logical arguments utilized in support of it tightly woven into a credible, and creatively persuasive tapestry.

Everyone and everything needed to be raised to its highest level _ the teacher must become a mage, the husband a knight errant, the labor a hero in a sacred drama _ intensified, rarefied, baptized in the turbulent waters of restlessness, curiosity, and ardor.

I don't need to see the trail to know you're at the end of it. My grandfather's compass may not work, but mine is still true.

The author found participants in a study able to come up with more reasons to support their position but not anymore likely to change their minds based on contradictory evidence. In effect, they enlist their IQ on behalf of their instincts.

I know a little something about fear, honey. I know what a relief it feels like to give into it at first. It__ not hard to persuade yourself that you__e doing the right thing__hat you__e making the smart, safe decision. But fear is insidious. It takes anything you__e willing to give it, the parts of your life you don__ mind cutting out, but when you__e not looking, it takes anything else it damn well pleases, too.

Fatigue could be the dealmaker's friend.

People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.

When (an advocate) is not thoroughly acquainted with the real strength and weakness of his cause, he knows not where to choose the most impressive argument. When the mark is shrouded in obscurity, the only substitute for accuracy in the aim is in the multitude of the shafts.