Those who listened unwarily to that voice
could seldom report the words that they heard;
and if they did, they wondered,
for little power remained in them.
Mostly they remembered only
that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking,
all that it said seemed wise and reasonable,
and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves.
When others spoke
they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast;
and if they gainsaid the voice,
anger was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. - Narrative regarding Saruman, the evil wizard of Orthanc
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Two Towers I have observed during the past election cycle a marked...