Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.

Scarlett O'Hara didn't think she was manipulating. That's just the way she got what she wanted.

Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.

Everybody, to some extent, manipulates. Even children learn to cry when they want something. There are all kinds of subtle things we do to get others to follow our lead, not bother us, and so on.

Power is the measure of the degree of control you have over circumstances in your life and the actions of the people around you. It is a skill that is developed by a deep understanding of human nature, of what truly motivates people, and of the manipulations necessary for advancement and protection.

If your imagination leads you to understand how quickly people grant your requests when those requests appeal to their self- interest, you can have practically anything you go after.

When all else fails, go for the ego.

Logic can convince but only emotion can motivate.

Never appeal to a man's 'better nature.' He may not have one. Invoking his self-interest gives you more leverage.

The thoughts he put in her head. Someone should’ve arrested him for it.

Men such as they are, very naturally seek money or power; and power because it is as good as money.

You win them to what you win them with.

The persuasion of a friend is a strong thing.

Everyone endeavors as much as possible to make others love what he loves, and to hate what he hates... This effort to make everyone approve what we love or hate is in truth ambition, and so we see that each person by nature desires that other persons should live according to his way of thinking.

I can frighten or buy ninety-nine out of every one hundred men.

The art of persuasion. The actor persuades himself, first, and through himself, the audience.

Color and bite permeate a language designed to rally many men, to destroy some, and to change the minds of others.

Men are so made that they can resist sound argument, and yet yield to a glance.

When the heart is won, the understanding is easily convinced.

It's in our nature to be intrigued. We're putting the bread crumb not in your mouth but close to your mouth. You reach a little bit, and that's why it works.

At the end of reasons comes persuasion.

The heart has such an influence over the understanding, that it is worth while to engage it in our interest.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.

I like [Barak] Obama. I like him. So how far does rationality help to persuade anybody? You know, I'm not so sure.

Mountains of gold would not seduce some men, yet flattery would break them down.