Jonathan Swift Quotes

A man may lack everything but tact and conviction and still be a forcible speaker.

One must be convinced to convince, to have enthusiasm to stimulate the others.

When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.

The doom of a nation can be averted only by a storm of flowing passion, but only those who are passionate themselves can arouse passion in others.

I wish I could talk like Donald Trump or Steve Wynn. Hell, I'd love it.

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.

A person of definite character and purpose who comprehends our way of thought is sure to exert power over us. He cannot altogether be resisted; because, if he understands us, he can make us understand him, through the word, the look, or other symbol, which both of us connect with the common sentiment or idea; and thus by communicating an impulse he can move the will.

People appreciate and follow the person who can persuade them properly. Make that person you.

I'm quite good at talking about things I care about.

No amount of facts in his head can compensate for the lack of fire on his lips.

With my natural communication abilities, I could probably gather a crowd even without the Spirit.

All good leaders are connectors. They relate well and make people feel confident about themselves and their leader.

Some people feel, you make your case, if they listen to you, fine, if they don't, that's it. That's not what leadership is. Leadership is trying to continue to make a case.

When you're 20 years old and you're making points with volume and dynamism, it's a fantastic thing to do.

You have to be able to enthral and persuade at the same time.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a preacher as well, 'cause I can really get into an audience.

You will never convince anyone to do anything unless you believe it should be done.

I can be pretty persuasive if I believe in something strongly enough.

I think the key attributes for a good speaker are someone that's articulate and someone that puts a fair amount of humour into what they do.

Be interesting, be enthusiastic... and don't talk too much.

People who see no gray tend to convince others to follow them. If someone talks with great conviction and joy, people tend to agree with them.

We convince by our presence.

The capacity to persuade is an essential part of being a great leader.

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

That which fires youth, generally rings true.