Talking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim.
—Common Proverb
The elegance of the style, and the turn of the periods make the chief impression upon the hearers.—Most people have ears, but few have judgment; tickle those ears, and depend upon it, you will catch their judgments such as they are.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I never let my subject get in the way of what I want to talk about.
—Mark Victor Hansen (b.1948) American Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur
Half wits talk much, but say little.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Our public men are speaking every day on something, but they ain’t saying anything.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
A man does not know what he is saying until he knows what he is not saying.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
One anecdote of a man is worth a volume of biography.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
I would rather be guilty of talking over a person’s head than behind his back.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
I do not speak of what I cannot praise.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
What is uttered is finished and done with.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say too much.
—John Wayne (1907–79) American Actor, Director, Producer
Say what you have to say and first time you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending; sit down.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
To climb a tree to catch a fish is talking much and doing nothing.
—Chinese Proverb
Speak little and to the purpose.
—Common Proverb
Too many of us speak twice before we think
—Indian Proverb
Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it.
—Cullen Hightower (b.1923) American Humorist
One way of looking at speech is to say it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness.
—Harold Pinter (1930–2008) British Playwright
With all his tumid boasts, he’s like the sword-fish, who only wears his weapon in his mouth.
—John Madden (1936–2021) American Football Coach
The trouble with me is that I like to talk too much.
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930) American President, Chief Justice
Before a man speaks, it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks it is seldom necessary to assume.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
An orator who is disposed to evil subverts the law.
—Unknown
Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol and an audience is electrified.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Better never begin than never make an end.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Talk to every woman as if you loved her, and to every man as if he bored you, and at the end of your first season you will have the reputation of possessing the most perfect social tact.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
When at a loss how to go on, cough.
—Greek Proverb
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