Admin

Maybe you can fool all of the people all of the time!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Maybe you can fool all of the people all of the time by Richard WeisserA very wise man once told me:

“If you tell the same … lie often enough you start believing it …yourself!”

Of course, his language was a little more colorful and a bit more direct but his admonition has stayed with me for many, many years.

I can’t tell you how many times I have had to retract something I said because I was wrong, and I did not want to perpetuate the myth.

We all make mistakes. That it human nature.

We don’t always own up to them and that’s when the problems arise.

I am often surprised at how easily people can be led to believe something that is fundamentally not true. We ALL want to be agreeable and supportive.

But well-intentioned reinforcement can add unwarranted credence to a fallacy.

 

And before you know it, EVERYONE accepts it as fact!

Comments(8)

Show All Comments Sort:
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Richard...so many people are scarred to say they are wrong.  Mis-information has hurt many people in many ways.

Mar 17, 2014 05:48 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Richard the ability to say we were wrong makes for a strong character. We've all been wrong at times and it's not a big deal to just say - sorry and make it right.

Mar 17, 2014 07:21 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Richard, I think it's tough to stand alone and say something is not true. In today's world I'm afraid that many might say "What's true for you, may not be true for me". I believe there is an absolute truth and there are times when we must stand up and say it out loud. OK, time to get off the soapbox!

Mar 17, 2014 07:23 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Have you and Donald been talking?  He says that's what the politicians in Washington are doing... telling the same lies until people believe them.

Mar 17, 2014 01:09 PM
Frank Iglesias
Working With Houses, LLC - Atlanta Real Estate Investments - Lawrenceville, GA
Atlanta, GA Real Estate Investor

There is truth to this Richard and although we may have the ability to change that by standing up and say what we think is morally right, we can't be assured  that the other party will accept this knowing that he had been fooling people for years and has falsely convince himself that he is doing the right thing. 

Mar 17, 2014 08:28 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Richard, I guess the fact that everyone celebrating July 4th as the day we as a nation declared our independence would qualify here since it was actually voted on by the Continental Congress on July 2nd, however, the actual declaration was written and dated on July 4th, but not signed by all delegates until August 2nd.

Mar 23, 2014 04:15 AM
Randi Brammer
Randi Brammer, Acctg. - Hinckley, MN
Accountant & Tax Preparer

I have accounting clients that way.  They believe what they tell me every yearand I know that they are not truthful.  If they get audited...then they will see.

Mar 23, 2014 07:50 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Very true. In this day with talk TV on all the time this is really evident. People believe all they hear...and sometimes those doing the talking may believe it as well!

Apr 16, 2014 10:10 AM