--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At times, one can win clever people over…" description: "\"“At times, one can win clever people over to a principle merely by presenting it in the form of an outrageous paradox.”\" — Friedrich Nietzsche" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/friedrich-nietzsche-15_arguments_at-times-one-can-win-clever-people-over_3078082.jpg" --- # At times, one can win clever people over to a principle… ![“At times, one can win clever people over to a principle merely by presenting it in the form of an outrageous paradox.” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/friedrich-nietzsche-15_arguments_at-times-one-can-win-clever-people-over_3078082.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/friedrich-nietzsche-15_arguments_at-times-one-can-win-clever-people-over_3078082.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/friedrich-nietzsche-15_arguments_at-times-one-can-win-clever-people-over_3078082.jpg) > ““At times, one can win clever people over to a principle merely by presenting it in the form of an outrageous paradox.”” [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Presenting a principle as a shocking paradox can win over clever minds, exploiting their love of intellectual challenge. **In simple terms:** Paradoxes can persuade intelligent people. Key Takeaway Use bold contradictions to engage critical thinkers. Themes philosophy persuasion intellect Mood provocative analytical Type philosophical strategic When to use this quote - debates - teaching - marketing - political discourse Key Concepts paradox rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - When is a paradox effective versus confusing? - How do you test a principle’s validity beyond its presentation? A Different Perspective Overreliance on shock may alienate those seeking logical consistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arguments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguments/) [Clever People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever-people/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trickery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trickery/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes all you need to do to win clever people over to a principle is to present it in the form of a shocking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/sometimes-all-you-need-to-do-to-win-clever-people-over-to-a-principle/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“A principle is not merely a fundamental truth, but principles must serve as the very first source of every decision we make along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/a-principle-is-not-merely-a-fundamental-truth-but-principles-must/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [People who express themselves in paradoxes are in a strong position; and the more outrageous the paradox, in general the stronger the position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-williams/people-who-express-themselves-in-paradoxes-are-in-a-strong-position/) [Bernard Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-williams/) > [If you're too methodical, too fearful, you're not going to win. 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