Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1103IR // #c1103Synthesis

"Suggest to a man that it is impossible to change his mind and in most cases it becomes more difficult to do so" "Suggest subtly and persistently that the opinions of those in the audience who are opposed to your views are changing"

— In our words · Source: The Art of Public Speaking (J. Berg Esenwein & Dale Carnegie)

[Use when]

You're addressing people who are against you and about to call them stubborn.

[Why it matters]

The authors say feelings, thoughts and wills "tend to follow the line of least resistance." Telling people they are dug in digs them in; suggesting that opinion is already shifting makes holding out the effort. They note the born contrarian needs the reverse.

Filed under situations:When you need a yes and they’re not there yet

More from The Art of Public Speaking

#c1088"How would you cure a horse that is afraid of cars—graze him in a back-woods lot where he would never see steam-engines or automobiles, or…You've been reading about public speaking instead of booking a talk. #c1089"One way to get air out of a glass is to pour in water." "fill your mind with your speech-material and, like the infilling water in the…You're backstage replaying everything that could go wrong. #c1090"Have the first few sentences worked out completely so that you may not be troubled in the beginning to find words. Know your subject…You're preparing a talk and plan to improvise the opening.

Same situation, different book

#c1447Demagogues Blame Absent Partners For Local DisastersWhen a partner's executive blames your absent team for a joint outage, publish the signed deployment log to…From The Hobbit #c1436Politeness Traps You Into Signing Away SafetyWhen a client or partner acts as if an unapproved scope expansion is settled, stop the meeting and state your…From The Hobbit #c1381Dress for the sixtieth rowYour work will be seen from far away and someone wants it toned down for close inspection.From Matriarch #c1368Belonging is the secret of brandingYour customers come back and are treated like strangers each time.From Matriarch