The subconscious is non-selective soil: it grows weeds as willingly as wheat. Murphy's exhibit is the hypnotic subject who acts out Napoleon on command, or sneezes at a cup of cold water he was told is pepper — suggestion accepted as fact becomes physiology. "Your subconscious mind does not argue with you. It accepts what your conscious mind decrees." The corollary with teeth: "Remember that your subconscious mind cannot take a joke." The offhand self-insult lands as an order.

— In our words · Source: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Joseph Murphy)