Persuasion is effected through the medium of the hearers…
“Persuasion is effected through the medium of the hearers, when they shall have been brought to a state of excitement under the influence of speech; for we do not, when influenced by pain or joy, or partiality or dislike, award our decisions in the same way; about which means of persuasion alone, I declare that the system-mongers of the present day busy themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Persuasion works best when the audience is emotionally aroused by the speaker, unlike decisions made under pain, joy, bias, or dislike.
In simple terms: Emotions boost persuasive power more than logical arguments alone.
Key Takeaway
Consider audience emotions before speaking.
Themes
rhetoric
emotion
persuasion
audience
decisionmaking
Mood
engaging
thoughtful
strategic
Type
advice
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- marketing pitches
- legal arguments
- teaching
- leadership talks
Key Concepts
pathos
ethos
logos
emotional appeal
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ethically stir emotions to support your message?
- What balance between emotion and reason is most effective?
A Different Perspective
If the audience is not emotionally engaged, logical appeals may fall flat.