BE
A GOOD SPEAKER
A good speaker is a good thinker. The proverb “Think before
you speak, and look before you leap” is full of wisdom. No good speaker should
forget it.
The English poet laureate Robert Southey (1774-1843) said :
There are three things that ought to be considered before some things are
spoken,----the manner, the place, and the time.
Scottish-American divine John Witherspoon (1723-94) advised:
Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it,
cease.
Somebody has rightly defined : A good speech is characterised by clarity of
message, strong organization, relevance to the audience, engaging delivery, a
clear purpose, well-supported arguments, and a compelling conclusion, ensuring
the audience easily understands and remembers the key points conveyed by the
speaker.
Good speeches are tailor-made. They do not contain any superfluous
word. They may entertain the audience but not hurt the feelings of any listener.
If they there is any reference to the past events, it should be truthful. As regards speaking about such personalities
as are not alive, remember the adage:
“Nothing but good should be talked about the dead. “
While quoting Solomon, the fourth monarch of the kingdom of
Israel and Judah, the English writer and statesman Sir Walter Raleigh
(1552-1618) says: life and death are in the power of the tongue; and as
Euripides (Greek tragedian of classical Athens) truly affirmeth, every
unbridled tongue in the end shall find itself unfortunate; in all that men’s
fortunes are oftener made by their tongues than by their virtues, and more men’s
fortunes overthrown thereby, also, than by their vices.
Good speakers are not repetitive. They make a point only once
but do it forcefully. They are gentle and courteous; never boastful or overbearing.
The English divine Richard C. Trench (1807-86) said: Speak
but little and well if you would be esteemed a man of merit.
To conclude, here is a famous quote: Let thy speech be better
than silence, or be silent.
********
G.R.Kanwal
6th February 2025
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