|
It is well to make it a rule never to argue on a point until you can see some reason or validity in the other's case. There must be some. A person civilized enough to be in the same room with me, I reason, could not hold a position in which there is not some sense somewhere. I must try to find it — and hasten to acknowledge it. Very many people make the mistake of thinking that they weaken their position if they make any concession to the opponent. It is the tragedy of war politicians that they think they have to keep talking as if the enemy were all wrong and they themselves all right. There ought to be an international law that in every wartime speech a politician must spend a quarter of his time stating the merits of the other side. To do so would be both justice and expediency. In conversation, a person will not evade concessions, he will yearn to make them. You will eagerly say when you can, "Yes, the way you present it, your idea seems to be workable." If you smile, you can even more effectively say, "With the greatest reluctance I grant you are right on that point." |
|||
|
