Sermon quotes on manipulation
Edward Bernays
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organised habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.
Propaganda, 1930
Ray Bradbury
The television is ‘real’. It is immediate, it has dimension. It tells you what to think and blasts it in. It must be right. It seems so right. It rushes you on so quickly to its own conclusions your mind hasn’t time to protest, ‘What nonsense!’.”
Fahrenheit 451
Philip K. Dick
The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.
The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick: Selected Literary and Philosophical Writings
Thomas à Kempis
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand the test of adversity, but if you really want to test a man’s character, give him power.
John C. Maxwell
Manipulation is moving together for my advantage. Motivation is moving together for mutual advantage.
Developing the Leader Within You Workbook, Thomas Nelson, 2001.
Erwin McManus
Manipulation is the use of influence to control others for personal gain. It is the dark side of influence. … While manipulation is inherently evil, influence is the best way to lead and move others toward what is good.
Seizing Your Divine Moment: Dare to Live a Life of Adventure (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2002), p.104.
Flannery O’Connor
“Mrs. Hopewell had no bad qualities of her own but she was able to use other people’s in such a constructive way that she never felt the lack.
Good Country People in A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories
George Orwell
The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.
M. Scott Peck
A predominant characteristic . . . of the behavior of those I call evil is scapegoating. Because in their hearts they consider themselves above reproach, they must lash out at anyone who does reproach them. They sacrifice others to preserve their self-image of perfection.
People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil (1983; repr., New York: Touchstone, 1998, 73.
Gary Thomas
Jesus never appears desperate, manipulative, or controlling, as if when people didn’t agree with him, his feelings would be hurt. He is mission-focused and others-centered to his deepest core.
When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People, Zondervan 2019.
A.W. Tozer
What is of man uses manipulation to conform. What is of God uses implantation to transform.
William Arthur Ward
Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate.
Still Looking for inspiration?
Consider checking out our illustrations page on Manipulation.