‘Simplicity is the greatest sophistication.’ Leonardo Da Vinci, 15th century Italian ‘Renaissance man – artist, inventor and architect.
‘If you think presentations cannot enchant people, then you have never seen a really good one.’ Guy Kawasaki, 20th century Silicon Valley entrepreneur, author and speaker.
‘People don’t remember what we think is important. They remember what they think is important.’ John Maxwell, 20th century pastor, speaker and author of over 60 books on leadership
We can learn a lot about communicating from those who lived and worked in the 20th century.
‘The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand.’ John Maynard Keynes (1883 – 1946), British author and influential economist.
‘No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.’ Robert Benchley (1889 – 1945), American humorist, columnist and film actor.
‘Do not accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.’ Sam Rayburn (1882 – 1961), American politician and longest-serving Speaker of the House of Representatives.
‘First learn the meaning of what you say and then speak.’
Epictetus (AD 55 – 135), Greek philosopher and teacher Read More
We can learn a lot from these 19th century authors about communication.
‘Deeds, not words, shall speak me.’ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet, playwright and statesman.
‘Speak properly and in as few words as you can, but always plainly.’ William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and politician.
‘… the short words are the best and the old words best of all.’ Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet, literary critic and philosopher.
William Shakespeare really understood the art of communication:
So … ‘Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now!‘ – ‘Kiss Me Kate’
