“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to find it within himself.”
~Galileo
Human Relations Principle #11: Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never tell a person he or she is wrong.
(“A sure way to making enemies—and how to avoid it.”)
(This is the eleventh in a series of articles where I will encapsulate each of Dale Carnegie’s timeless, life-changing principles for dealing with people. (Adapted from How to Win Friends and Influence People.))*
“One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.” ~Socrates
Use a little diplomacy. Don’t argue with your customer or your spouse or your adversary. Don’t tell them they are wrong, don’t get them stirred up.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly.” ~Jesus
You will never get into trouble by admitting that you may be wrong. That will stop all argument and inspire your opponent to be just as fair and open and broad-minded as you are. It will make him want to admit that he, too, may be wrong.
“Men must be taught as if you taught them not;
And things unknown proposed as things forgot.”
~Alexander Pope
How Ben Franklin conquered his habit of arguing
(excerpts from Ben Franklin’s Autobiography)
Ben Franklin tells how he conquered the iniquitous habit of argument and transformed himself into one of the most able, suave and diplomatic men in American history. Read more

“If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes;
“Every man I meet is my superior in some way.
Make yourself agreeable to earn the interest of others.
Successful business interaction is not a mystery. Nothing is so praiseworthy and important as paying exclusive attention to the person who is speaking to you.
“Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices.”
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people that you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.”
Do you receive as much appreciation as you deserve?