From Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.
If You Are Wrong, Admit it Quickly and Emphatically.
“When we are right, let’s try to win people gently and tactfully to our way of thinking, and when we are wrong—and that will be surprisingly often, if we are honest with ourselves—let’s admit our mistakes quickly and with enthusiasm. Not only will that technique produce astonishing results; but, believe it or not, it is a lot more fun, under the circumstances, than trying to defend oneself.” (p. 171)
A policeman told Carnegie he needs to keep a leash on his dog because it’s the law. Later Carnegie played with his dog without a lease and the dog went straight to the officer. Before the Officer could speak, Carnegie apologized and told the officer how dangerous it was not to keep a dog with a leash. Carnegie kept criticizing himself. The officer let him off gently.