Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
William PennRead
Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective communication requires clarity and brevity to ensure understanding.
William Penn emphasizes the importance of speaking clearly and concisely. He argues that the primary purpose of speech is not to show off or impress others, but to be understood by the listener, promoting effective communication that transcends mere decoration of language.
Themes
CommunicationClarityBrevityUnderstandingSpeech
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speaking event, one might use this quote to stress the importance of concise communication.
More from William Penn
All quotes βWhere thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
William PennRead
Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
William PennRead
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
William PennRead
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
William PennRead
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
William PennRead
Similar quotes
In nonviolent communication, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Then we may wish to reflect back, paraphrasing what we have understood. We stay with empathy, allowing others the opportunity to fully express themselves before we turn our attention to solutions or requests for relief.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
Words are such uncertain things, they so often sound well but mean the opposite of what one thinks they do.
Agatha ChristieRead
I think the written word is probably the best medium of communication because you have time to reflect, you have time to choose your words, to get your sentences exactly right. Whereas when you're being interviewed, say, you have to talk on the fly, you have to improvise, you can change sentences around, and they're not exactly right.
Richard DawkinsRead
To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.
Edward R. MurrowRead
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
George Bernard ShawRead
I never took any elocution lessons, no diction lessons. I might have been a pretty decent broadcaster if I had, but what you see, I'm afraid, is what you get.
Walter CronkiteRead