100 Greatest Communication Quotes

Compiled by JoJo Tabares http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

Introduction

Introduction

The power of the tongue and the words of our mouth are the subject of many quotes including several hundred in Gods Word, the Bible! Why have so many commented on the power, importance and attitude of communication? You might be able to get through your entire life without having to make a speech, but Ill bet you wont get through one day without communicating something to someone. Unless you are a hermit, everything you say and do communicates something to someone around you. Words can affect many things. The Bible is called Gods Word. God spoke the world into existence. Words can cut like a knife or soothe like a salve. Words can build someone up or tear them down. How we communicate is often just as important if not even more so, than the words themselves. Our body language, our eye contact, our gestures, our tone of voice all help us communicate. Communication is so much more than the words we choose to write on paper or we allow to slip out of our mouths. Communication is of vital importance in life no matter who you are and what you do. You cannot have relationships without communication as friendships and marriages rely upon this skill to blossom and grow. In fact, studies show that a lack of effective communication is the number one cause of divorce! You cannot educate without communicating. You cannot get a job, climb the corporate ladder, run a business, parent a child, or share your faith without communicating. So important is communication that thousands have commented on its power: from the rich and famous to philosophers and from comedians to the Lord Himself. The following is a collection of 100 of the most insightful and humorous communication quotes. Each is a gem containing priceless lessons for effective communication with our fellow man. Print them out. Post them up. Teach them to your children. Heed their warnings. And harness their power for your life!

JoJo Tabares

1. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11 2. "The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously." Hubert H. Humphrey 3. "Tis better to be thought a fool, than open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Abraham Lincoln 4. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6 5. "Never argue with a fool. Someone watching may not be able to tell the difference." Unknown 6. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Dale Carnegie 7. "Communication is the most important skill in life." Stephen Covey, Author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. 8. "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere." -Lee Iacocca 9. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Proverbs 18:20 10. "The world is governed more by appearances than realities, so it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as it is to know it." Unknown 11. "The mind is like a TV set-when it goes blank, it's a good idea to turn off the sound." Anonymous 12. "Wise men talk because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something." Plato 13. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1Peter 3:15 14. "Communication is the key to education, understanding and peace." James Bryce 15. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. Proverbs 10:8 16. "What you are shouts so loud in my ears I cannot hear what you say." Ralph Waldo Emerson 17. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19 18. "The limits of my language are the limits of my world." Ludwig Wittenstein 19. "Communication is all anyone ever gets paid for ultimately...and if you cannot effectively communicate, you will pay...not get paid! Doug Firebaugh 20. "He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend." Proverbs 22:11

21. Lying is done with words and also with silence. Adrienne Rich 22. "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24 23. Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after. Anne Morrow Lindbergh 24. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Proverbs 18:13 25. The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it. Edward R. Murrow 26. "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." Proverbs 18:7 27. The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them. Even the choices words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech. Edwin H. Friedman 28. Be sincere; be brief; be seated. Franklyn Delano Roosevelt 29. "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself." Proverbs 18:2 30. The problem with communication ... is the illusion that it has been accomplished. George Bernard Shaw 31. "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered." Proverbs 11:9 32. The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate. Joseph Priestley 33. Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while. Kin Hubbard 34. Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment. Pearl S. Buck 35. "The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom." Proverbs 10:21 36. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 37. Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much. Robert Greeleaf 38. When we have the courage to speak out to break our silence we inspire the rest of the "moderates" in our communities to speak up and voice their views. Sharon Schuster 39. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now. Woodrow Wilson 40. If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

41. My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Job 27:4 42. Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people. William Butler Yeats 43. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; [and] lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O [thou] deceitful tongue. Psalms 52:24 44. It seemed rather incongruous that in a society of supersophisticated communication, we often suffer from a shortage of listeners. Irma Bombeck 45. These six [things] doth the Lord hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 46. The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives. Anthony Robbins 47. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 48. Communication is the real work of leadership. Nitin Nohria 49. These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: Zechariah 8:16 50. Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary. John Fitzgerald Kennedy 51. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45 52. Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true. Charles Dickens 53. Communication--the human connection--is the key to personal and career success. Paul J. Meyer 54. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 55. Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks. Heinrich Heine 56. God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 3:10-11 57. To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others. Anthony Robbins

58. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." 1 Corinthians 13:11 59. Men and women belong to different species and communications between them is still in its infancy. Bill Cosby 60. "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." Proverbs 18:17 61. The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use. Washington Irving 62. "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 63. In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do. Stephen Covey 64. The internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting. Dave Barry 65. One kind word can warm three winter months. Japanese Proverb 66. "He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap." 1 Timothy 3:7 67. He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met. Abraham Lincoln 68. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Abraham Lincoln 69. Many wise words are spoken in jest, but they don't compare with the number of stupid words spoken in earnest. Sam Levenson (1911 - 1980) Humorist 70. Language is our way of communicating what we want and who we are. By using bad language, we diminish the divine spark within us that defines our humanity. Dr. Laura Schlessinger 71. Two monologues do not make a dialogue. Jeff Daly 72. Anybody who thinks talk is cheap has never argued with a traffic cop. -Henny Youngman 73. The relationship is the communication bridge between people. -Alfred Kadushin 74. It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong. Ralph Nichols -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 75. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:18

76. For good or ill, your conversation is your advertisement. Every time you open your mouth you let men look into your mind. Do they see it well clothed, neat, businesswise? Bruce Burton 77. The royal road to a man's heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most. Dale Carnegie 78. There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it. Dale Carnegie 79. No one would talk much in society if they knew how often they misunderstood others. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 80. Nothing is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood. Jr., Freeman Teague 81. The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success: Concentration, Discrimination, Organization, Innovation and COMMUNICATION Michael E. Gerber 82. "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." Epictetus 83. "Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame." Benjamin Franklin 84. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. Colossians 3:13 85. "When angry, count to ten before you speak; when very angry, a hundred." Thomas Jefferson 86. "If you're trying to persuade people to do something, or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language, the language in which they think." 87. David Ogilvy"Ordinary people can spread good and bad information about brands faster than marketers." Ray Johnson 88. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:1-2 89. "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Mark Twain 90. "A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts." William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918 91. "First get your facts; then you can distort them at your leisure." Mark Twain 92. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men [are] broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. [They that were] full have hired out themselves for bread; and [they that were] hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 1 Samuel 2:3-5 93. "It is insight into human nature that is the key to the communicator's skill. For whereas the writer is concerned with what he puts into his writings, the communicator is concerned with what the reader gets out of it. He therefore becomes a student of how people read or listen." William Bernbach, quoted in Bill Bernbach said, 1989.

94. "It is not a matter of what is true that counts, but a matter of what is perceived to be true." Henry Kissinger 95. Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret. Dr. Laurence J. Peter 96. Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. Jeremiah 13:15 97. When all other means of communication fail, try words Unknown 98. "The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer." Henry David Thoreau 99. "I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying." Oscar Wilde 100. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Additional Resources I pray you enjoyed these pearls of communication wisdom. If you enjoyed these greatest communication quotes, you will love some of the other resources Art of Eloquence provides! Many of them are absolutely free of charge too! The Misadventures of Foot in Mouth Man! http://artofeloquence.com/pages/FIMM.php FIMM is a loveable yet bumbling communicator who sticks his foot in his mouth so often he has Athletes Tongue! He does so each week for your amusement and to teach effective communication skills in a creative and intriguing way. A new misadventure is posted for your reading pleasure each Wednesday on his home on Art of Elouqence. You can view his current episode and his video as well as learn more about the FIMM Archives!

Grace Talk Soup http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/19736 Grace Talk Soup is JoJos weekly podcast where you can find her Boldly serving up God's Word with a side order of Grace and Humor! Each Thursday 8am PST/11am ESST she brings you a Humor-filled, weekly one hour commentary on news that affects all Christians with tips and instruction for better communication when sharing and defending the faith in grace. Guests share their testimony, their ministry and their miracles!

Say What You Mean Convention http://saywhatyoumeanconvention.com The Say What You Mean Convention is an Annual Online Three Day Event honoring President Ronald Reagan, The Great Communicator! Each year around his birthday in February, the communication convention holds a three day long series of live seminars, recorded workshops, live interactive chats, free giveaways, contests with prizes and three Keynote Speakers! Admission is free and many of the recorded events and freebies are available for download all year long! Past Keynote Speakers have included Dr. Jay Wile, Creation Scientist and founder of Apologia Science, Gena Suarez publisher of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Carol Barnier, author of How to Get Your Child off the Refrigerator and onto Learning, and Dr. Michael Farris CoFounder of the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Communication FUNdamentals http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CommunicationFUNdamentals/ JoJos daily blog where she posts weekly communication tips, jokes, articles and news that affects all Christians and how they may express and share their faith.

Art of Eloquence http://artofeloquence.com/catalog.php Art of Eloquence produces the most creative studies that teach effective communication skills using humor, fun activities and stories for all ages PreK-Adult, including the only study that shows exactly how to effectively share and defend the faith!