Beatrice Webb Quotes

The nature of politics is to subtract meaning from language.

No politician has ever been defeated by a speech he didn’t give.

Political speeches are a particularly low form of rhetoric.

Speeches are more important in politics than talking points, as a rule, and are better remembered.

Modern political speechwriting is certainly a skill, and one that requires experience and practice to master.

Speeches are not magic and there is no great speech without great policy.

Regan’s greatness as a rhetorician was in his delivery not in the content of what he said as with Churchill and Roosevelt.

I regard most of my speeches as opportunities to teach rather than traditional political speeches.

This trial has developed in the most remarkable manner, the insane love of speaking among public men. We are wading knee deep in words, words, words ….

(During a long speech in Parliament by Labour M. P. John Foster, Churchill dropped his head on his chest and closed his eyes. Foster criticized his "Right Honourable Opponent" for being asleep. Churchill shot back:) I wish to God I were! (Another Labour M. P. asked Mr. Churchill if he must fall asleep during his speech. Churchill replied:) No, it is purely voluntary.

Very often in political debate questions of fact turn into questions of motive.

Thence to the famous orators repair, Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence Wielded at will that fierce democratie, Shook the arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece, To Macedon, and Artaxerxes' throne.

I have never knowingly made a non-controversial speech in my life.

Making clever speeches takes a lot of work and a lot of time.

There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.

If only I was as eloquent as Demosthenes, I would have to do no more than repeat a single word three times.

A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth.

When a man is asked to make a speech, the first thing he has to decide is what to say.

The mark of a true politician is that he is never at a loss for words because he is always half-expecting to be asked to make a speech.

Hey, I'm not a politician. I'm a ham. I love to give speeches.

Governor Romney is a good debater.

No man not inspired can make a good speech without preparation.

Boyle's Law: As pressure on a candidate increases, the volume at which he speaks also increases.

I often begin a thought with spirit and finish it with nonsense. The chain of my argument often escapes me, and when lost can seldom be retrieved. These faults are so overpowering that I should sink into perpetual silence were it not that sometimes in ardor of debate, when my feelings are wound up to a high tone, elocution pours itself along with unusual rapidity, and I have passages which would not shame a good speaker; this is the only thing that makes me tolerable to others or to myself.

Parliament will train you to talk; and above all things to hear, with patience, unlimited quantities of foolish talk.