A bit ironic, but in my opinion true.

I think it is a bit strange that honest people in some or many cases are also the best manipulators. I know this seems like a strange contradiction, but once you put some though into it things make sense. To be truly honest, you have to be conscious of whether or not you are being true. This simple awareness also helps you understand what you/other people do to alter the truth. If you were to supplement this with people watching/reading people you start to really learn how to manipulate.