David Gergen Quotes

Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.

I think the power of persuasion would be the greatest superpower of all time.

Rhetoric, which is the use of language to inform or persuade, is very important in shaping public opinion. We are very easily fooled by language and how it is used by others.

I consider myself a persuasive person. With the ability to persuade comes a certain level of power.

I've been dealing with politicians all my life. All my life. And I've always gotten them to do what I need them to do.

Now I see that going out into the testing ground of men it is the tongue and not the deed that wins the day.

I think it was when I realised I could talk anybody into doing just about anything I wanted them to.

What I'd really like to control is not machines, but people.

When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.

With words we govern men.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the right side of the argument, it just matters whether you have the right ear.

You can say anything if enough people will listen.

I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.

Eloquence shows the power and possibility of man. There is one of whom we took no note, but on a certain occasion it appears that he has a secret virtue never suspected - that he can paint what has occurred and what must occur, with such clearness to a company, as if they saw it done before their eyes. By leading their thought he leads their will, and can make them do gladly what an hour ago they would not believe that they could be led to do at all.

There is nothing like oratory, it is a skill that can turn a commoner into a king.

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.

A word after a word after a word is power.

The most powerful men were those who most effectively used the power of adult competence to enforce childish agreements.

Most people don't have the power of persuasion.

Some people feel, you make your case, if they listen to you, fine, if they don't, that's it. That's not what leadership is. Leadership is trying to continue to make a case.

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.

I believe we should appeal to people at the higher levels.

In politics, as in business, leadership is crucial.

Power is the most persuasive rhetoric.

It was said that Mr. Gladstone could persuade most people of most things, and himself of anything.