It is when I struggle to be brief that I become obscure.

Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

We know how to speak many falsehoods which resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things.

People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.

Understanding a question is half an answer.

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

It is absurd to hold that a man ought to be ashamed of being unable to defend himself with his limbs, but not of being unable to defend himself with speech and reason.

Truly, to tell lies is not honorable; but when the truth entails tremendous ruin, to speak dishonorably is pardonable.