Best Public Speaking Quotes of All Time

April 29, 2023

7 min read

Public speaking is a powerful tool that can inspire and motivate others, but it can also be daunting and nerve-wracking. As a speaker, it’s essential to be well-prepared, confident, and engaging. To help you become a better public speaker, we’ve compiled a list of the best public speaking quotes from some of the most influential speakers in history. These quotes will inspire you, motivate you, and help you develop your own style and approach to public speaking.

The Best Public Speaking Quotes

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s quote highlights the importance of preparation in public speaking. Even if you’re giving an impromptu speech, it’s essential to have a plan and be well-prepared. Taking the time to prepare will help you feel more confident and make a better impression on your audience.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

Walt Disney’s quote reminds us that action is more important than words. As a public speaker, it’s essential to take action and make a real difference in the lives of your audience. Don’t just talk about what you’re going to do – actually do it.

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” – Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s quote reminds us of the importance of determination and persistence. As a public speaker, it’s essential to have the courage and determination to tackle difficult subjects and push through adversity.

Some of the best public speaking quotes come from famous people throughout history.
Famous quotes throughout history can inspire you to improve your public speaking.

“Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.’s quote emphasizes the importance of clear and concise communication. As a public speaker, it’s essential to speak clearly and enunciate your words so that your message is understood by your audience.

“The most precious things in speech are pauses.” – Sir Ralph Richardson

Sir Ralph Richardson’s quote reminds us that sometimes the most powerful moments in a speech are the pauses. Pausing can create suspense, emphasize a point, and give your audience time to reflect on what you’ve just said.

“A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” – Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill’s quote uses (somewhat outdated) humor to make a point about the ideal length of a speech. As a public speaker, it’s important to keep your audience engaged and interested. A concise and to the point speech will hold your audience’s attention.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln’s quote reminds us that we are in control of our own destiny. As a public speaker, it’s important to be proactive and take action to create the future that we want.

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein’s quote emphasizes the importance of clear and simple communication. As a public speaker, it’s important to be able to explain complex ideas in a way that is easy for your audience to understand.

“The fear of public speaking is the fear of being judged.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown is an excellent public speaker who has delivered multiple TED Talks that have been viewed millions of times. Brené Brown’s speaking style is engaging, authentic, and vulnerable. She often speaks about topics such as vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and she has a unique ability to connect with her audience and inspire them to take action. Many people find Brené Brown’s speeches to be both informative and inspiring, and she has been recognized as one of the top speakers in the world. This quote highlights the underlying fear that many people have when it comes to public speaking. As a speaker, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences this fear, but with practice and preparation, you can overcome it and deliver a great speech.

“It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” – Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s quote emphasizes the importance of delivery in public speaking. Your tone of voice, body language, and overall presentation can have a significant impact on how your audience receives your message.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs’s quote reminds us that passion and enthusiasm are essential ingredients for success in any field, including public speaking. If you’re passionate about your message, your audience will be more likely to engage with you and be inspired by what you have to say.

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” – James Humes

James Humes’s quote highlights the importance of effective communication in leadership. As a public speaker, you have the opportunity to inspire and motivate others, and your ability to communicate effectively is a critical factor in your success.

How to Become a Great Public Speaker

Yoodli is an AI-powered speech coach that can help you become a great public speaker. With Yoodli, you can practice your speech in real-time and receive immediate feedback on how to improve.

Yoodli can also help you overcome your fear of public speaking by providing you with a safe and supportive environment to practice your speech. You can practice your speech as many times as you need without the pressure of a live audience, and Yoodli will provide you with feedback on how to improve your delivery.

Another great feature of Yoodli is its ability to provide personalized coaching based on your specific needs. Yoodli can analyze your speech and provide customized feedback based on your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus on areas where you need the most improvement.

Improve your public speaking with Yoodli.

Yoodli is a great tool for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills, whether you’re a novice or an experienced speaker. With Yoodli, you can practice your speech in a safe and supportive environment and receive personalized coaching to help you become a great public speaker.

Using Quotes in Your Speech

Incorporating quotes into your speech can be a powerful tool for engaging your audience and making your message more memorable. When using quotes, it’s important to choose ones that are relevant to your topic and resonate with your audience. You can use quotes to support your argument, add humor, or emphasize an important point. When using quotes, make sure to give credit to the original speaker and provide any necessary context. You can also use quotes as a jumping-off point for further discussion, asking your audience for their thoughts on the quote or how it relates to your topic.

Famous Quotes About Public Speaking

Famous quotes about public speaking can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for anyone who wants to become a better public speaker. Quotes from famous speakers and writers can help you understand the importance of effective communication. They can also inspire you to speak with confidence and clarity. Some of the greatest quotes about public speaking provide practical advice on how to overcome your fear of public speaking.

For example, one famous quote by Winston Churchill is “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” This quote can inspire you to keep going even if you stumble or make mistakes during a speech. Failure is a natural part of the learning process, and the most important thing is to keep trying and improving.

Another famous quote by Maya Angelou is “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote can remind you that effective communication is not just about what you say, but how you say it. It can help you focus on connecting with your audience on an emotional level and making them feel heard and understood.

Incorporating famous quotes into your public speaking practice can help you develop a deeper understanding of the art of effective communication, and inspire you to approach public speaking with confidence and authenticity. They can also provide a sense of comfort and camaraderie, knowing that even the most successful speakers have experienced the same challenges and fears that you may be facing.

The Best Quotes about Public Speaking In Summary

Public speaking can be challenging, but with the right mindset and preparation, anyone can become a great speaker. By incorporating the best public speaking quotes from some of the most influential speakers in history, you can develop your own style and approach to public speaking. Remember to be confident, passionate, and engaging, and your audience will be sure to listen.

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