There is arguably something wrong with a method of persuasion that cannot pass the test of publicity.

The liar wants to be believed, but lying undermines the foundation for credibility.

Any restrictions to freedom of expression will always open the door to possible others, because analogical reasoning can mount arguments showing why this or that class of objects is closely similar to those for which exceptions have been made.

Aristotle writes that persuasion is based on three things: the ethos, or personal character of the speaker; the pathos, or getting the audience into the right kind of emotional receptivity; and the logos, or the argument itself, carried out by abbreviated syllogisms, or something like deductive syllogisms, and by the use of example.

The specific media may change, but the principles of human nature have remained fairly constant over the millenia.

In a general way, a major goal of the propagandist is to seek some kind of authoritative backing for the belief he or she is propagating.

Down to the present day the luminous image of democracy has often served as a pretext for the most undemocratic actions.