“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.”

Share & Save

Meaning

The quote says that emotion and bias can be more persuasive than careful reasoning when trying to influence people. It suggests that prejudice can spread quickly in a crowd, while logic may be harder to use to change a single person’s mind.

When It Was Said

1967

Who It Was Said To

Not documented yet.

Historical Context

Not documented yet.

Source

If This Goes On— (p. 426)

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

Listed with a cited source on Wikiquote.

Did You Know?

Wikiquote cites it to If This Goes On— (p. 426).

About Robert A. Heinlein

American science fiction author, engineer, and naval officer

Robert A. Heinlein was an American science fiction author, engineer, and naval officer. He is known as a major figure in twentieth-century science fiction, and is sometimes called the “dean of science fiction writers.” He was among the first writers to stress scientific accuracy in fiction, helping shape hard science fiction. His fiction and nonfiction often praise competence, encourage critical thinking, and place characters in situations that test conventional social values. His influence remains visible in the genre and in wider culture.

More from Robert A. Heinlein (162 quotes) →

READ THE SOURCE

Books by Robert A. Heinlein

Starship Troopers

2006

VIEW ON AMAZON

Stranger in a Strange Land

1987

VIEW ON AMAZON

The moon is a harsh mistress

1983

VIEW ON AMAZON

The Door into Summer

1986

VIEW ON AMAZON

The Puppet Masters

1990

VIEW ON AMAZON