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[Quotation about public speaking] Mr. Churchill on after-dinner speeches

"There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall which is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you."

— Winston Churchill

churchill statue

Ah Mr. Churchill! He created resonance with the audience, knowing that most find speeches difficult, intrigued them with the mention of two things, and used wonderful "rhetoric" with his phrases that repeated structure and image. What a speaker!

2 replies
  1. Paul Herring
    Paul Herring says:

    He certainly did and he certainly was, Bronwyn. James Humes has written a few books on Sir Winston’s speech-making methods – he obviously admires his ability. So do I. Good post.

    One of Churchill’s most famous jokes is about Lady Nancy Astor. You’ve likely heard it, but it goes like this:

    Lady Nancy: if you were my husband I’d give you poison to drink
    Sir Winston: Nancy, if you were my wife, I’d drink it!.

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