Miguel de Unamuno Quotes

Take care of the sense and the sounds will take care of themselves.

There are three principles in a man's being and life, the principle of thought, the principle of speech, and the principle of action. The origin of all conflict between me and my fellow-men is that I do not say what I mean and I don't do what I say.

Speech was made to open man to man, and not to hide him.

I have opinions of my own—strong opinions—but I don’t always agree with them.

It is very wholesome exercise, this trying to make one's words represent one's thoughts, instead of merely looking to their effect on others

Always speak the truth, think before you speak, and write it down afterwards.

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.

Many things I might not write today because I no longer believe them, but I wouldn't change them, since I believed them at the time.

Speech is the small change of silence.

What I do want is to be transparent about where I am and how I got here. I don't like the cone of silence - it didn't do me any favors in my 20s or 30s, and I don't see it doing much for other women, either.

Words are powerful. When I make mistakes I just try to come back and clarify what I meant.

I'm sorry I can't speak very coherently.

Much speech is one thing, well-timed speech is another.

The trouble with her is that she lacks the power of conversation but not the power of speech.

The only thing you have to know are your words.

It is also said of me that I now and then contradict myself. Yes, I improve wonderfully as time goes on.

Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation.

How I am in the booth, how I am when I meet you, that's how I am in general.

Instead of sounding pretentious, phony, or repetitive, I'd rather not speak.

People are trying to find an outlet to tell their truth.

I have so much to say to you. I want to begin at the beginning, because that is what you deserve. I want to tell you everything, without leaving out a single detail. But where is the beginning? And what is everything?

I'm not putting any of this well. I am not and never have been an intellectual. I am not articulate, and the subjects that I am trying to describe and discuss are beyond my abilities. I am trying, however, the best I can, and will go back over this as carefully as possible when I am finished, and will make changes and corrections whenever I can see a way to make what I'm discussing clearer or more interesting without fabricating anything.

As you talk, so is your heart.

Talking and eloquence are not the same.

I often begin a thought with spirit and finish it with nonsense. The chain of my argument often escapes me, and when lost can seldom be retrieved. These faults are so overpowering that I should sink into perpetual silence were it not that sometimes in ardor of debate, when my feelings are wound up to a high tone, elocution pours itself along with unusual rapidity, and I have passages which would not shame a good speaker; this is the only thing that makes me tolerable to others or to myself.