How to Win Friends and Influence People

when you are displeased, it is much easier to criticise and condemn than it is to try to understand the other person’s viewpoint.

When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.

Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.

PRINCIPLE 1 Don’t criticise, condemn or complain.

the deepest urge in human nature is ‘the desire to be important.’

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance, I’ll tell you what you are. That determines your character. That is the most significant thing about you.

the way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.