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MANIPULATION
Intro
"I
Want"
People try to manipulate me all the time,
But I'm just too clever for them.
Tumblewed
There may be some
truth in what our Founding Father says. At least according to legend.
But he was far from being innocent when it comes to the other
end of the manipulations.
We
use the word "Manipulation" quite freely. But just what is
manipulation? And is there a good kind like our
parents tell us there is when there's something they want us to do?
The
dictionary tells us that it means to "handle" something, or some one,
usually to our own advantage. And, of course, the last definition is
the one we are after.
The
Thesaurus tells us no more, except to add "exploit" to the list, which
could possibly help.
So
far our usual resources have availed us nothing.
Let's
check with the Manipulators of Antiquity to see what they have to say
on the subject.
Manipulation
as such, is not a term that the Religious Leaders used, nor the Secular
writers. Nor can I find "exploit" in my references. But I am sure there
must be a term for it that they used. After all, it certainly isn't a
modern invention.
Duplicity
and deceit are two words that come to mind that certainly resemble our
word for the day. They are not totally the same as manipulation, but
close. The thesaurus lists a great many words along with these, most
which are a bit more devilish than what we are considering at this
point.
No
success with the Religious Leaders, though I am sure they had other
words for it. But since it seems to be a more "harmless" human trait,
let's check with the Secular Thinkers:
*
Success
at last. Deceive is our word. And to begin with we have this from
Sebastian Brant in Ship of Fools:
"The
world wants to be deceived."
(Short
and to the point, wouldn't you say?)
*
This,
a warning to women everywhere from William Shakespeare:
"Sigh
no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever; One foot in the
sea, and one on the shore, The one thing constant never."
(I
resent this. Not deny, just resent.)
*
Here's
one from who's name is almost longer than his maxim; Francois, Duc de
La Rochefoucauld:
"It
is more ignominious to mistrust our friends than to be deceived by
them."
And
another by the same author:
"The
true way to be deceived is to think oneself more clever than others."
*
Another
from a Frenchman. Is there a pattern beginning here? This time from
Jean De La Fontaine:
"It
is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver."
*
This
from one who simply entitles his writings Letters of Junius:
"There
is a moment of difficulty and danger at which flattery and falsehood
can no longer deceive, and simplicity itself can no longer be misled."
*
And
finally this from Plato:
"Everything
that deceives may be said to enchant."
*
Now
let's see what our Master Manipulators have to say on one of their
favorite pastimes.
YOU'LL BE SORRY
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