Jeremy Collier Quotes

As reason is the glory of man, so the lamp of reason is eloquence.

Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. This is not a function of any other art.

The duty of rhetoric is to deal with such matters as we deliberate upon without arts or systems to guide us, in the hearing of persons who cannot take in at a glance a complicated argument or follow a long chain of reasoning.

I'm not good at throwing around rhetoric.

Rhetoric is the counterpart of logic; since both are conversant with subjects of such a nature as it is the business of all to have a certain knowledge of, and which belong to no distinct science. Wherefore all men in some way participate of both; since all, to a certain extent, attempt, as well to sift, as to maintain an argument; as well to defend themselves, as to impeach.

Similes prove nothing, but yet greatly lighten and relieve the tedium of argument.

The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

I'm a talker. I love a good debate.

A witty saying proves nothing.

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

Eloquence, n. The art of orally persuading fools that white is the color that it appears to be. It includes the gift of making any color appear white.

I haven't much opinion of words. They're apt to set fire to a dry tongue, that's what I say.

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.

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.

Let argument bear no unmusical sound.

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

Eloquence, when in its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection.

Eloquence is the language of nature, and cannot be learned in the schools; but rhetoric is the creature of art, which he who feels least will most excel in.

That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong.

We oftener say things because we can say them well, than because they are sound and reasonable.

At the end of reasons comes persuasion.

A talent for speaking differently, rather than for arguing well is the chief instrument of cultural change.