Get into the mind of the person in front of you before you speak your mind.

Before you try to convince anyone of anything, understand their basic moral world first. Ask questions, step on their toes—apologizing afterward. Then, when you think you might understand them, from their perspective speak to them of your perspective. But if you don’t understand someone, don’t be surprised. One out of every hundred or so people are surprisingly complex. For them, you just have to say, “Well, this is what I believe.”

Personal Library

Get as many ideas about different things as you can. Experience the rich and varied world of the human intellect. And be prepared to throw ninety percent of it on the dung heap.