Owen Feltham Quotes

Brevity is the best recommendation of speech, whether in a senator or an orator.

If you really understand something, you can say it in the fewest words, instead of thrashing about.

Say only a little but say it well.

True eloquence consists in saying all that should be said, and that only.

The most attractive sentences are, perhaps, not the wisest, but the surest and roundest. They are spoken firmly and conclusively,as if the speaker had a right to know what he says, and if not wise, they have at least been well learned.

Method is not less requisite in ordinary conversation than in writing, provided a man would talk to make himself understood.

Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.

Brevity is a great charm of eloquence.

Being articulate, my parents could make anything sound reasonable.

… a style of oratory that I never heard equaled in this or any other country

Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.

He that uses his words loosely and unsteadily will either not be minded or not understood.

If we are understood, more words are unnecessary; if we are not likely to be understood, they are useless.

Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some talkers excel in the precision with which they formulate their thoughts, so that you get from them somewhat to remember; others lay criticism asleep by a charm. Especially women use words that are not words,--as steps in a dance are not steps,--but reproduce the genius of that they speak of; as the sound of some bells makes us think of the bell merely, whilst the church chimes in the distance bring the church and its serious memories before us.

There are so many people, especially among our comrades, who imagine that words are nothing - on the contrary, isn't it true that saying a thing well is as interesting and as difficult as painting it?

Whatever we well understand we express clearly, and words flow with ease.

God gave you that gifted tongue of yours, and set it between your teeth, to make known your true meaning to us, not to be rattled like a muffin man's bell.

He is an eloquent man who can treat humble subjects with delicacy, lofty things impressively, and moderate things temperately.

A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.

Writing and reading and speaking with specificity and skill has never seen more important to me than it does at this moment. It's what's between us and chaos.

Words were another sword for the man who wielded them well.

We always speak well when we manage to be understood.

Definite speech means clarity of mind.

I'd like to be better at short, snappy answers.