Quote by Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friend
Why prove to a man he is wrong? Is that going to make him like you? Why not let him save face? He didn't ask for your opinion. He didn't want it. Why argue with him? You can't win an argument, because if you lose, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why? You will feel fine. But what about him? You have made him feel inferior, you hurt his pride, insult his intelligence, his judgment, and his self-respect, and he'll resent your triumph. That will make him strike back, but it will never make him want to change his mind. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
Summary
This quote suggests that attempting to prove someone wrong and argue with them is futile and counterproductive. It argues that winning an argument may make the person who initiated it feel good, but it will damage the other person's self-esteem and make them resentful. This, in turn, will prevent them from considering alternative perspectives and changing their opinion. The quote suggests that it is better to let someone save face and not impose our opinions on them, as forcing someone to believe something against their will does not actually change their mindset.
Topics
Argument & Debate
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