Quotes About Eloquence

A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident.

The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit.

Anyone can tell the truth, but only very few of us can make epigrams.

rhetoric is will doing the work of imagination

Thare is no chance of hurrying bussiness here like in the legeslature of a State thare is such a desposition here to Show Eloquence that this will be a long Session and do no good.

You raise your voice when you should reinforce your argument.

Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.

We always speak well when we manage to be understood.

Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit.

Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought and not as many of those who worry about their shortcomings believe an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.

A coward's courage is in his tongue.

Courage easily finds its own eloquence.

Lewis had developed a trademark style, slow enough for note taking, loud enough to rouse the dullest listener, straightforward, abundantly furnished with quotations, and lavish in wit.

An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.

the matter is as it is in all other cases: if it is naturally in you to be a good orator, a notable orator you will be when you have acquired knowledge and practice ...

A rhetorician is capable of speaking effectively against all comers, whatever the issue, and can consequently be more persuasive in front of crowds about… anything he likes.

How brave a thing is freedom of speech, which has made the Athenians so far exceed every other state of Hellas in greatness!

GORGIAS: Yes. SOCRATES: Do you mean that you will teach him to gain the ears of the multitude on any subject, and this not by instruction but by persuasion? GORGIAS: Quite so.

Ouch. Cursing—not so dashing.

which was named after the Roman god Mercury.

mellowing influences of elocution teachers

The more a man is given to sentiment ,the more likely is he to be wordy and to speak well.

Don't raise your voice- improve your argument.

One man excels in eloquence, another in arms.