Joseph Addison: Convincing with Cash

Posted by admin on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Joseph Addison Money Quote saying convincing with a path toward cash will most often outwit the thoughtful or witty approach in an argument. Joseph Addison said:
 

 

“A man who is furnished with arguments from the mint will convince his antagonist much sooner than one who draws them from reason and philosophy” — Joseph Addison

 

 

In this quote, Joseph Addison is commenting on the power of rhetoric and persuasion. He suggests that a person able to draw on clever arguments and talking points that appeal more to emotion, self-interest or popular opinion (“from the mint”) will tend to convince others and win debates more swiftly than one whose arguments are grounded strictly in logical reasoning, evidence and philosophical principles alone (“from reason and philosophy”).

Addison’s point is that while rational, well-substantiated positions informed by objective analysis may ultimately be correct, they do not always carry as much immediate persuasive weight in changing people’s views as more rhetorically skilled, audience-focused arguments. The quote conveys that when seeking to influence others, a compelling rhetorical style can at times spread an idea more effectively than just solid facts and logic, at least in the short term.

Birthday: May 1, 1672 – Death: May 17, 1719

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