Richard Cecil Quotes

I used to tell my husband that, if he could make me understand something, it would be clear to all the other people in the country.

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

Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king. He is an independent force in the world.

Eloquence is a painting of thought; and thus those who, after having painted it, add something more, make a picture instead of a portrait.

Eloquence, to produce her full effect, should start from the head of the orator, as Pallas from the brain of Jove, completely armed and equipped. Diffidence, therefore, which is so able a mentor to the writer, would prove a dangerous counsellor for the orator.

There is no eloquence without a man behind it.

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

For my next trick I will make everyone understand me.

To speak and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and nothing but what is necessary.

We need a new model: If you can't explain it, you can't sell it.

Gesturing with his body and head rather than with his arms, he grew very impassioned and seemed transfigured. Then the inspiration that possessed him took possession of his hearers also. His speaking went to the heart because it came from the heart. I have heard celebrated orators who could start thunders of applause without changing any man’s opinion. Mr. Lincoln’s eloquence was of the higher type, which produced conviction in others because of the conviction in others because of the conviction of the speaker himself.

Lower your voice and strengthen your argument.

I never heard either of them speak ten minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point which was to decide the question. They laid their shoulders to the great points, knowing that the little ones would follow of themselves.

The gifts of nature are necessary; but they are not sufficient to make a complete orator without art and study.

Use your logick, and then your rhetorick. Rhetorick without logick, is like a tree with leaves and blossoms, but no root; yet I confess more are taken with rhetorick than logick, because they are catched with a free expression, when they understand not reason. Logick must be natural, or it is worth nothing at all: Your rhetorick figures may be learned.

Action is eloquence

Great speech is impassioned; small speech cantankerous.

Eloquence is the essential thing in a speech, not information.

Wordiness is a sickness of American writing. Too many words dilute and blur ideas.

I've always had the ability to manipulate words and communicate ideas and thoughts.

Eloquence is the child of knowledge.

Eloquence is the art of saying as little as possible but making it sound as much as possible.

And then you've got President Clinton who made the case as only he can. After he spoke, somebody sent out a tweet- they said, you should appoint him secretary of explaining stuff. I like that- secretary of explaining stuff. Although, I have to admit, it didn't really say stuff. I cleaned that up a little bit.

The ability to speak well is the shortcut to distinction.