A leader is a dealer in hope. Know how to listen and be sure that silence often produces the same effects as science. From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step. Truth alone wounds. The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind. In war, three quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and materials counts only for the remaining quarter. There are two levers for moving men: interest and fear. There is no class of people so hard to manage in a state, as those whose intentions are honest, but whose consciences are bewitched. There is no place in a fanatic's head where reason can enter. Those who have changed the universe have never done it by changing officials, but always by inspiring the people. |