Lincoln on Convincing

When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and true maxim that 'a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.' So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason, and which, once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing him of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause is really a good one. - Abraham Lincoln



Mr. [Abraham] Lincoln is not in the habit of saying “This is my opinion” or “my theory” but “This is the conclusion to which, in my judgment, the time has come, and to which accordingly, the sooner we come the better for us.” He has always addressed the intelligence of men, never their prejudice, their passion, or their ignorance. – James Russell Lowell



These two quotes, taken together, pretty well map out a plan for convincing others. Remember you will never change your enemy's mind.