To quarrel with a man of good speech is better than to converse with a man who does not speak well.
—Indian Proverb
A long tongue shortens life.
—Unknown
It takes two to speak truth—one to speak, and another to hear.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Sheridan once said of some speech, in his acute, sarcastic way, that “it contained a great deal both of what was new and what was true; but that what was new was not true, and what was true was not new.”
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Most men make little use of their speech than to give evidence against their own understanding.
—George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax (1633–95) British Statesman, Writer, Politician
Liberty doesn’t work as well in practice as it does in speeches.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
A good speech is a good thing, but the verdict is the thing.
—Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847) Irish Nationalist Leader
A person’s character is revealed by their speech.
—Greek Proverb
The best answer to bad speech is good speech.
—Alan M. Dershowitz (b.1938) American Lawyer, Scholar
The secret of a good sermon is
to have a good beginning and a good ending,
then having the two as close together as possible.
—George Burns (1896–1996) American Comedian
Listening to someone talk isn’t at all like listening to their words played over on a machine. What you hear when you have a face before you is never what you hear when you have before you a winding tape.
—Oriana Fallaci (1929–2006) Italian Journalist, Historian
A tart temper never mellows with age; and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener and sharper with constant use.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
The ability to express an idea is well nigh as important as the idea itself.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
One should not speak too much nor keep quiet all the time. When it is time to speak, let him speak moderately and not redundantly.
—Buddhist Teaching
It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.
—Karl Popper (1902–94) Austrian-born British Philosopher
If you don’t want to read it, see it or hear it, don’t say it.
—Unknown
Language is legislation, speech is its code. We do not see the power which is in speech because we forget that all speech is a classification, and that all classifications are oppressive.
—Roland Barthes (1915–80) French Writer, Critic, Teacher
Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.
—Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) German-born Swiss Novelist, Poet
Speech happens to not be his language.
—Anne Louise Germaine de Stael (1766–1817) French Woman of Letters
What has influenced my life more than any other single thing has been my stammer. Had I not stammered I would probably… have gone to Cambridge as my brothers did, perhaps have become a don and every now and then published a dreary book about French literature.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
Speech is the gift of all, but the thought of few.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) (234–149 BCE) Roman Statesman
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
—Buddhist Teaching
A witty saying proves nothing.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
We who officially value freedom of speech above life itself seem to have nothing to talk about but the weather.
—Barbara Ehrenreich (1941–2022) American Social Critic, Essayist
Silence sweeter is than speech.
—Dinah Craik (1826–87) British Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Such as thy words are, such will thine affections be esteemed; and such as thine affections, will be thy deeds; and such as thy deeds will be thy life.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
Speech is the small change of silence.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
No man not inspired can make a good speech without preparation.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
Wilson was once asked how long it took him to write a speech. He answered, ‘That depends. If I am to speak 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation. If 15 minutes, 3 days. If half hour, two days. If an hour, I am ready now.’
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
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