Tactful Expression Quotes

Do we seek delicate phraseology in politics or other forms of public life? We do not.

I've really learned to watch what I say.

To any man currently thinking it's not safe to say anything to women these days, allow me to offer you a rule of thumb. If you're in any doubt about something you're going to say to a woman, just ask yourself if you'd say the same thing to a man.

Euphemisms are not, as many young people think, useless verbiage for that which can and should be said bluntly; they are like secret agents on a delicate mission, they must airily pass by a stinking mess with barely so much as a nod of the head, make their point of constructive criticism and continue on in calm forbearance. Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.

One thing I like to tell founders is the more you talk, the more you have an opportunity to say something that people don't like. Talk less, and it will probably be better.

It is a great misfortune neither to have enough wit to talk well nor enough judgment to be silent.

You reach a certain point in your 30s when you say things in a much safer way.

It is one of Miss Manners's great discoveries that one needn't contradict others in order to set them straight.

Frankly, I could use a little sugarcoating.

There's a certain time that when somebody asks you a question, you answer them. I don't think I said anything with venom. If you can express yourself without anger and make it as palatable as you can, that's what you do.

Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a gaffe is when you tell the truth. So, be careful.

You have to speak your mind, but without being cruel.

Opinions are to the vast apparatus of social existence what oil is to machines: one does not go up to a turbine and pour machine oil over it; one applies a little to hidden spindles and joints that one has to know.

Who has words at the right moment?

I think the silences we have on some issues are inductive of the fact that we need to write about them more, but I think there are some issues you have to write in a sensitive way and in a way that respects the reality of the situation. If you can't do that, you should leave them alone.

There are certain things you don't say that's disrespectful. They detract from the point you're trying to make.

We can say what we need to say. We can gently, but assertively, speak our mind. We do not need to be judgmental, tactless, blaming or cruel when we speak our truths.

You shouldn't say it is not good. You should say, you do not like it; and then, you know, you're perfectly safe.

Gracious to all, to none subservient, Without offense he spoke the word he meant