We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another—until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.
—Richard Nixon (1913–94) American Head of State, Lawyer
Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
From listening comes wisdom, and from speaking repentance.
—Italian Proverb
Words that do not match deeds are not important.
—Che Guevara (1928–67) Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary
What view is one likely to take of the state of a person’s mind when his speech is wild and incoherent and knows no constraint?
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Talking and eloquence are not the same.—To speak and to speak well are two things.—A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
A world community can only exist with world communication, which means something more than extensive software facilities scattered about the globe. It means common understanding, a common tradition, common idea’s and common ideals.
—Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899–1977) American Educational Philosopher
When we talk about spirituality, we talk about what we share. I think when we talk about religion, we talk about how we are different in expressing that spirituality.
—Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (b.1947) American Rabbi
We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together, and if we are to live together we have to talk.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
It’s vital the monarchy keeps in touch with the people. It’s what I try and do.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Extremists think “communication” means agreeing with them.
—Leo Rosten (1908–97) Polish-born American Humorist, Screenwriter, Writer
Ordinary people who know nothing of phonetics or elocution have difficulties in understanding slow speech composed of perfect sounds, while they have no difficulty in comprehending an imperfect gabble if only the accent and rhythm are natural.
—Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) Scottish-American Inventor, Engineer, Academic
He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Talk to people, not above them.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Author, Speaker, Pastor
I fear explanations explanatory of things explained.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I ever met.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
My basic rule is to speak slowly and simply so that my audience has an opportunity to follow and think about what I am saying.
—Margaret Chase Smith (1897–1995) American Politician
Transport of the mails, transport of the human voice, transport of flickering pictures—in this century as in others our highest accomplishments still have the single aim of bringing men together.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
It’s not what you say but the way you say it.
—French Proverb
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, and wants it down.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Every improvement in communication makes the bore more terrible.
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
Communication is a continual balancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacy and independence.
—Deborah Tannen (b.1945) American Linguist
The really important things are said over cocktails and are never done.
—Peter Drucker (1909–2005) Austrian-born Management Consultant
The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them.
—Stephen King (b.1947) American Novelist, Screenwriter, Columnist, Film Director
Too much agreement kills a chat.
—Eldridge Cleaver (1935–98) American Activist, Writer
If then the power of speech is as great as any that can be named,—if the origin of language is by many philosophers considered nothing short of divine—if by means of words the secrets of the heart are brought to light, pain of soul is relieved, hidden grief is carried off, sympathy conveyed, experience recorded, and wisdom perpetuated,—if by great authors the many are drawn up into unity, national character is fixed, a people speaks, the past and the future, the East and the West are brought into communication with each other,—if such men are, in a word, the spokesmen and the prophets of the human family—it will not answer to make light of Literature or to neglect its study: rather we may be sure that, in proportion as we master it in whatever language, and imbibe its spirit, we shall ourselves become in our own measure the ministers of like benefits to others—be they many or few, be they in the obscurer or the more distinguished walks of life—who are united to us by social ties, and are within the sphere of our personal influence.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
Communication across the revolutionary divide is inevitably partial.
—Thomas S. Kuhn (1922–96) American Philosopher, Science-Historian
To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.
—John Marshall (1755–1835) American Statesman, 4th Chief Justice of the U.S.
Examine what is said, not him who speaks.
—Arabic Proverb
There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
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