It is terrible to speak well and be wrong.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
He who does not say too much has too much to say.
—Unknown
It is delivery that makes the orators success.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Look wise say nothing and grunt, speech was given to conceal thought.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
An orator who is disposed to evil subverts the law.
—Unknown
The words of tongue should have three gate keepers.
—Arabic Proverb
Be sincere, be brief; be seated.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Tell the audience what you’re going to say, say it; then tell them what you’ve said.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
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
One anecdote of a man is worth a volume of biography.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don’t know and I don’t care.
—William Safire (1929–2009) American Columnist, Editor, Author
Speak when you are spoken to.
—Common Proverb
I don’t like jokes in speeches. I do like wit and humor. A joke is to humor what pornography is to erotic language in a good novel.
—James C. Humes (1934–2021) American Author, Historian, Speechwriter
When you have nothing to say, say nothing; a weak defense strengthens your opponent, and silence is less injurious than a bad reply.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Lots of people act well, but few people talk well. This shows that talking is the more difficult of the two.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Two great talkers will not travel far together.
—Spanish Proverb
What you are doing rings so loudly in my ears that I can’t hear what you’re saying.
—Unknown
Too many of us speak twice before we think.
—Indian 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
Half wits talk much, but say little.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Better never begin than never make an end.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Most speakers speak ten minutes too long.
—James C. Humes (1934–2021) American Author, Historian, Speechwriter
The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
When at a loss how to go on, cough.
—Greek Proverb
Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol and an audience is electrified.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say too much.
—John Wayne (1907–79) American Academy Award-winning Actor, Western Icon
Talking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim.
—Common Proverb
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
Only the prepared speaker deserves to be confident.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
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