Words that do not match deeds are not important.
—Che Guevara (1928–67) Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary
Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Well done is better than well said.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The Wright brothers didn’t contemplate the staying on the ground of things. Alexander Graham Bell didn’t contemplate the noncommunication of things. Thomas Edison didn’t contemplate the darkness of things. In order to float an idea into your reality, you must be willing to do a somersault into the unconceivable and land on your feet, contemplating what you want instead of what you don’t have.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
It is an excellent rule to be observed in all discussions, that men should give soft words and hard arguments; that they should not so much strive to silence or vex, as to convince their opponents.
—John Wilkins (1614–72) English Anglican Clergyman, Author, Administrator
He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I ever met.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
One kind word can warm three winter months.
—Japanese Proverb
The language of the body is the key that can unlock the soul.
—Konstantin Stanislavski (1863–1938) Russian Actor, Theater Personality
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine ownself be true.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
From listening comes wisdom, and from speaking repentance.
—Italian Proverb
Already we viewers, when not viewing, have begun to whisper to one another that the more we elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate.
—J. B. Priestley (1894–1984) English Novelist, Playwright, Critic
The speed of communications is wondrous to behold. It is also true that speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue.
—Edward R. Murrow (1908–65) American Journalist, Radio Personality
A phoneless cord is a great device for people who love peace and quiet.
—Unknown
Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of very part of your life.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Communication across the revolutionary divide is inevitably partial.
—Thomas S. Kuhn (1922–96) American Philosopher, Science-Historian
Communication is depositing a part of yourself in another person.
—Unknown
The tongue is the only instrument that gets sharper with use.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
Speak softly, but carry a big stick.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
Think much, speak little, and write less.
—Italian Proverb
It must be that evil communications corrupt good dispositions.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
No comment is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.
—Democritus (c.460–c.370 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.
—John Marshall (1755–1835) American Judge, Lawyer
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
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
The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say, “Me, too!” versus “So what?”
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
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