Watching the company, with six or seven senses not available to ordinary men, judging character, motive, and subconscious impulse, perceiving what each was thinking and even what each was going to say next, and compounding with telepathic instinct the argument or appeal best suited to the vanity, weakness, or self-interest of his immediate auditor.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This describes a person with exceptional intuition who understands hidden motives and can tailor messages to an audience's specific needs.
- In plain terms
- Someone who can read people's minds and speak to their needs.
- What can you take from it?
- Understanding subconscious motives improves communication.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can you read people's thoughts?
- How do you persuade others?
Another view
It borders on describing mind reading which is not real.
More from John Maynard Keynes
He had one illusion - France; and one disillusion - mankind, including Frenchmen.
Permalink to quote #32 Lenin is said to have declared that the best way to destroy the capitalist system was to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, government…
Permalink to quote #34 I should have drunk more Champagne.
Permalink to quote #31
Related quotes
While everyone is influenced and persuaded daily in various ways, vulnerability to influence fluctuates. The ability to fend off persuaders is reduced when one…
Margaret SingerMargaret Singer quote #2 It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear.
Dick CavettDick Cavett quote #3 When you argue with your inferiors, you convince them of only one thing: they are as clever as you.
Irving LaytonIrving Layton quote #4