Emotion is expressed by the voice, by sounds; interest, by language; persuasion is the office of gesture.

It is difficult enough to persuade a tool, but persuasion is not all the difficulty: obstinacy still remains to be brought under subjection.

Persuasion is argument that aims to establish the wisdom of a course of action.

Persuasion was the easier as fabrication was but a fanciful dress for truth.

Considering how much influence this vague persuasion has in encouraging a well-meaning hypocrisy in individuals, and a profound stagnation in societies, it may be well to examine the matter somewhat generally.