The talkative man speaks from his mouth, the eloquent man speaks from his heart.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Talkative people rely on words, but truly eloquent speakers communicate deep feeling and truth.
- In plain terms
- Empty talk comes from the mouth, real speech comes from the heart.
- What can you take from it?
- Speak with feeling, not just words.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you speak from the heart or the mouth?
- How do you measure true eloquence?
Another view
Some topics require factual precision over emotional expression.
More from Joseph Joubert
The purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place to spend one's leisure.
Permalink to quote #68 The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.
Permalink to quote #70 The passions of the young are vices in the old.
Permalink to quote #67
Related quotes
His words were simple words enough, And yet he used them so, That what in other mouths was rough In his seemed musical and low.
James Russell LowellJames Russell Lowell quote #3 In an easy matter, anybody can be eloquent.
OvidOvid quote #63 Discretion of speech, is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him, with whom we deal, is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.
Francis BaconFrancis Bacon quote #118