Success is the important thing. Propaganda is not a matter…
““Success is the important thing. Propaganda is not a matter for average minds, but rather a matter for practitioners. It is not supposed to be lovely or theoretically correct. I do not care if I give wonderful, aesthetically elegant speeches, or speak so that women cry. The point of a political speech is to persuade people of what we think right. I speak differently in the provinces than I do in Berlin, and when I speak in Bayreuth, I say different things than I say in the Pharus Hall. That is a matter of practice, not of theory. We do not want to be a movement of a few straw brains, but rather a movement that can conquer the broad masses. Propaganda should be popular, not intellectually pleasing. It is not the task of propaganda to discover intellectual truths.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Propaganda must be practical and persuasive, tailored to different audiences, rather than seeking intellectual elegance or truth.
In simple terms: Effective propaganda is pragmatic and audience‑specific.
Key Takeaway
Focus on persuasive impact over theory.
Themes
political communication
propaganda
psychology
Mood
manipulative
cautionary
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- advertising
- public relations
Key Concepts
pragmatism
audience targeting
mass persuasion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance persuasion with honesty?
- What are the risks of audience‑specific messaging?
A Different Perspective
The approach manipulates truth and can erode ethical standards.