How do you manipulate people? It can be done with a well-placed compliment — especially whenever one is about to say something difficult and questionable. Speak to people on their intelligence level, though it be far below your own. In general, do anything possible to avoid explicitly distancing yourself from them. There is no one in this world who will endure the truth from someone who does not indulge his vanity. That gods and prophets have been obeyed stems more from feelings of fear than from feelings of respect for open discourse.