Criticism comes from the buyer, applause from onlookers.

What’s true doesn’t matter. Praise, criticism, nitpicking, or making up flimsy excuses—all of it is just to manipulate you.

If someone really doesn’t want to buy from you, they won’t bother telling you any of this. If they genuinely prefer someone else’s offering, they won’t waste words. The fact that they’re explaining themselves actually proves they want the deal—and reveals their hand.

That’s what it means to truly master human nature: by probing your opponent to read their mind, you end up being the one in control.

As the saying goes—the most skilled hunters pose as prey.