Quotes about talking
page 48

“I keep trying to resist the thought, but the thought keeps pushing its way back in: The Western world has sunk into madness. There are no solutions to anything. The talk of our politicians is the babbling of fools, but we keep electing them anyway. We are collectively insane.”

John Derbyshire (1945) writer

Source: Succouring the Poor https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/succouring-poor-john-derbyshire/, National Review, February 6, 2012.

World, Fools, Way, Madness

“Life's not a bitch, life is a beautiful woman, You only call her a bitch 'cause she won't let you get that pussy, Maybe she didn't feel y'all shared any similar interests, Or maybe you're just an asshole who couldn't sweet-talk the princess,”

Aesop Rock (1976) American rapper

Source: "Daylight" from the album "Labor Days and Daylight"

Life, Beauty, Feeling, Bitch

“When I talk to the American people about climate change, I tell them it’s about jobs. It’s about workers and the communities that will revitalize themselves around new industries and opportunities.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2021, November 2021, US President's Statement on Day 2 of the 2021 UN Climate Conference

People, Communication, Change

“Whenever I meet someone, talk to someone on the phone, it’s a great feeling, knowing you’ve made their day or that they love the show and they love watching. I mean, it gives them something to do. It’s a great feeling.”

Emily Osment (1992) American actress

Source: Emily Osment Exclusive Interview http://www.thestarscoop.com/interviews/emily-osment-exclusive-interview/ (November 30, 2006)

Love, Feeling

“In my house, I was surrounded by actors, by nothing but talk of plays and performances, so I felt it was more advantageous to go in that direction, now, I can’t quit.”

Nakamura Kichiemon II (1944–2021) Japanese kabuki actor (1944-2021)

Source: His Grandfather’s Kabuki https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-15-ca-44008-story.html (September 15, 1996)

Housing

“Have you noticed that about journalists—all they really want to talk about is themselves.”

Ben Aaronovitch book Moon Over Soho

Source: Moon Over Soho (2011), Chapter 13, “Autumn Leaves” (p. 273)

“Even though we'll be up here (in International Space Station) this year (2021), we have our space family. So I think we're going to create some of our own traditions and we'll be able to talk to our family on the ground.”

Kayla Barron (1987) American astronaut

Source: Kayla Barron (2021) cited in " Astronauts on International Space Station send Christmas video message to Earth https://www.space.com/space-station-astronauts-christmas-2021-video" on Space.com, 26 December 2021.

Family, Thinking

“Maybe it’s a mark of a maturing culture, do you think, that secrets aren’t kept, that truth is told, that things are talked out?”

Arthur C. Clarke A Time Odyssey

Source: 2000s and posthumous publications, A Time Odyssey, Firstborn (2007), Chapter 49, “Areosynchronous” (p. 313)

Truth, Secret, Thinking

“The Nation belongs to everyone, not one or two specific people. The problems exist because we don't talk to each other and resolve them together. The problems arise from 'bloodthirstiness.'”

Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927–2016) King of Thailand

A television broadcast of King Bhumibol Adulyadej to Suchinda and Chamlong. (20 May 1992)
Source: [th:พระราชดำรัสพระราชทานแก่พลเอก สุจินดา คราประยูร และพลตรี จำลอง ศรีเมือง วันพุธที่ ๒๐ พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๕, A royal address given to General Suchinda Kraprayoon and Major General Chamlong Srimuang on Wednesday, 20 May 1992, th, http://kanchanapisek.or.th/speeches/1992/0520.th.html, 1999, 2013-12-07, Golden Jubilee Network]
Context: People can lose their minds when they resort to violence. Eventually, they don't know why they fight each other and what the problems they need to resolve are. They merely know that they must overcome each other and they must be the only winner. This no way leads to victory, but only danger. There will only be losers, only the losers. Those who confront each other will all be the losers. And the loser of the losers will be the Nation.... For what purpose are you telling yourself that you're the winner when you're standing upon the ruins and debris?

People, Problem

“The most treasured resource is our people and, if their health deteriorates, productivity and excellence will become mere talking points and not achievable objectives.”

Linah Mohohlo (1952–2021) Botswana banker

Source: PRODUCTIVITY WEEK DINNER DANCE ADDRESS https://www.bankofbotswana.bw/sites/default/files/speech-documents/productivity-week-dance-october-25-2001.pdf (October 25, 2001)

People, Health

“He's a computer. Perfect memory, rigid logic, no judgment. I forgot. I talked to him like a human being, and now—”

Larry Niven book A World Out of Time

Source: A World Out of Time (1976), Chapter 2 Don Juan, Section 4 (p. 59)

Memory, Perfection

“We... devote... Chapter five to the proposition that there is too much loose impeachment talk, and we think that impeachment... needs to be cautiously and carefully approached.”

Laurence Tribe (1941) American lawyer and law school professor

Laurence Tribe on To End a Presidency (2018) <br class="br">Source: 13:54 https://www.c-span.org/video/?446316-3/washington-journal-laurence-tribe-discusses-presidential-impeachment&start=834

Thinking

“What makes people stay on your side is that believability, that authenticity. . . . . You don't need to talk about the policy details as much as you should give people a reason to trust you.”

Katie Hill (politician) (1987) former U.S. Representative from California

Source: interview https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/katie-hill-california-democrat-738027/ with Rolling Stone (2018)

People

“I'd like to think when life is done
That I had filled a needed post,
That here and there I'd paid my fare
With more than idle talk and boast;
That I had taken gifts divine,
The breath of life and manhood fine,
And tried to use them now and then
In service for my fellow men.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: The Path to Home (1919), p.36 - Compensation, stanza 1.

Life, Men, Thinking

“We need to continue the conversation with mutual respect, and aloha. We need to keep talking about this with our friends, our family members, our colleagues, so that when the opportunity does come for change, we'll be ready.”

Mike Gabbard (1948) Samoan American politician

Source: Ahead of March for Life, 2 Democratic State Lawmakers Discuss the Pro-Life Movement and the Theme of ‘Unity’ https://www.ncregister.com/news/ahead-of-march-for-life-2-democratic-state-lawmakers-discuss-the-pro-life-movement-and-the-theme-of-unity (29 January 2021)

Family, Change

“We already have all the pieces of the puzzle. You talk about evidence. We have enough evidence to put everybody in prison for life: three hundred and some million people. We have that all the way back to November and December.”

Mike Lindell (1961) American businessman

Source: 12 January 2022 https://twitter.com/RightWingWatch/status/1481292597511475203

Life, People, Way

“We like to do all the talking, but it's so important to listen.”

David Motiuk (1962) Canadian bishop

Source: Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of western Canada: Ad limina http://www.archivioradiovaticana.va/storico/2017/03/31/ukrainian_catholic_bishops_of_western_canada_ad_limina_/en-1302402 (31 March 2017)

“The provision of the wheelchairs would therefore address some challenges (for the disabled) such as integration into society as well as access to health and basic services and fill other gaps. We cannot talk about inclusivity if we do not empower people, at the grassroots level.”

Saara Kuugongelwa (1967) Prime Minister of Namibia

Source: Saara Kuugongelwa (2021) cited in: " Modern wheelchairs enables mobility, accessibility to disabled in Namibia http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/20/content_77940581.htm" in China.org.cn, 20 December 2021.

People, Health

“Strange thoughts come to the man alone;
'Tis then, if ever, he talks with God,
And views himself as a single clod
In the soil of life where the souls are grown.
'Tis then he questions the why and where,
The start and end of his years and days,
And what is blame and what is praise,
And what is ugly and what is fair.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: The Path to Home (1919), p.145 - Alone, stanza 1.

Life, God, Soul, Question

“Men talk too much of gold and fame,
And not enough about a name;
And yet a good name's better far
Than all earth's glistening jewels are.
Who holds his name above all price
And chooses every sacrifice
To keep his earthly record clear,
Can face the world without a fear.Who never cheats nor lies for gain,
A poor man may, perhaps, remain,
Yet, when at night he goes to rest,
No little voice within his breast
Disturbs his slumber. Conscience clear,
He falls asleep with naught to fear
And when he wakes the world to face
He is not tainted by disgrace.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: The Path to Home (1919), p.143 - A Good Name, stanzas 1 and 2.

Men, World, Fear, Cheating

“There is too much attention
paid to him who shot at he
and to how he got away
but didn't quite.
Yes there's too much attention
So much so that we'll believe
he's not guilty of the crime which he's being tried
So forgive me when I tell you
I ain't got no place to go
I ain't got no one to talk to
got no one left to say hello”

Gilbert O'Sullivan (1946) Irish singer-songwriter

"Too Much Attention" (song) <br class="br">Song lyrics <br class="br">Source: Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Too Much Attention" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR47R4uWdDo (song on YouTube)

Forgiveness

“I fancy I hear them talking there
In an open boat, and the speech is fair.
And the boy is learning the ways of men
From the finest man in his youthful ken.
Kings, to the youngster, cannot compare
With the gentle father who's with him there.
And the greatest mind of the human race
Not for one minute could take his place.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: All That Matters (1922), p.36 - A Boy And His Dad, stanza 2.

Men, Youth, Way, Boy

“How much grit do you think you've got?
Can you quit a thing that you like a lot?
You may talk of pluck; it's an easy word,
And where'er you go it is often heard;
But can you tell to a jot or guess
Just how much courage you now possess?You may stand to trouble and keep your grin,
But have you tackled self-discipline?
Have you ever issued commands to you
To quit the things that you like to do,
And then, when tempted and sorely swayed,
Those rigid orders have you obeyed?Don't boast of your grit till you've tried it out,
Nor prate to men of your courage stout,
For it's easy enough to retain a grin
In the face of a fight there's a chance to win,
But the sort of grit that is good to own
Is the stuff you need when you're all alone.How much grit do you think you've got?
Can you turn from joys that you like a lot?
Have you ever tested yourself to know
How far with yourself your will can go?
If you want to know if you have grit,
Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.It's bully sport and it's open fight;
It will keep you busy both day and night;
For the toughest kind of a game you'll find
Is to make your body obey your mind.
And you never will know what is meant by grit
Unless there's something you've tried to quit.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: Just Folks (1917), On Quitting

Men, Game, Courage, Business

“How can Christian theology truly speak of the hope of Jesus Christ, unless that hope begins and ends with the liberation of the poor in the social existence in which theology takes shape? In America this means that there can be no talk about hope in the Christian sense unless it is talk about the freedom of black, red, and brown people.”

James H. Cone (1938–2018) American theologian

Source: God of the Oppressed (1975, 1997), p. 128 (1975 edition)

People, Hope, Sense, Freedom

“Silly people, and there are many, not only in enemy countries, might discount the force of the United States. Some said they were soft, others that they would never be united. They would fool around at a distance. They would never come to grips. They would never stand bloodletting. Their democracy and system of recurrent elections would paralyse their war horizon to friend or foe. Now we should see the weakness of this numerous but remote, wealthy, and talkative people. But I had studied the American Civil War, fought out to the last desperate inch.”

Winston S. Churchill book The Second World War

The Second World War (1948–1953)
Source: The Grand Alliance: The Second World War, Volume 3, (1950) p. 540

War, People, Fools, Democracy

“If a man talks shit than I owe him nothing.
And if spends my change than he had it coming.”

Taylor Swift (1989) American singer-songwriter

I Did Something Bad, written by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback
Song lyrics, Reputaion (2017)

Change

“They say music can alter moods and talk to you
Well, can it load a gun up for you and cock it too?
If it can, then the next time you assault a dude
Just tell the judge that it was my fault, and I'll get sued”

Eminem (1972) American rapper and actor

"Sing For The Moment"
2000s, The Eminem Show (2002)

Music, Mood, Time

“You should watch when you talk to young men about responsibility. They're so thrilled about it. It just blows me away. Really?! That's what the counter-culture is? Grow up and do something useful. "Really? I can do that? Oh, I'm so excited by that idea. No one ever mentioned that before."”

Jordan Peterson (1962) Canadian clinical psychologist, cultural critic, and professor of psychology

Rights, rights, rights, rights… Jesus! It's appalling. People have had enough of that. And they better have, because it's a non-productive mode of being. Responsibility, man: that's where the meaning in life is.
Other

Men, Idea

“It's part of the job to mythologise the experience, and you don't have to do that with this one. It's as easy as breath to talk about this one.”

Benedict Cumberbatch (1976) English actor and film producer

"Benedict Cumberbatch Interview - Star Of 'Sherlock' And 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Reveals His Only Fear..." in The Huffington Post https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/08/benedict-cumberbatch-interview-sherlock-star-trek-into-darkness_n_3235975.html (8 July 2013)

Parting

“We believe in marriage for life, and deprecate all this loose, pestiferous talk in favor of easy divorce... Be not deceived — free love means free lust.”

Lucy Stone (1818–1893) American abolitionist and suffragist

In an 1870 writing making it clear that those wishing for "free divorce" were not associated with Stone's organization, American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA)

Love, Life, Marriage

“On top of the war talk, women were driving me crazy: the ones who said “no” and the ones who said “yes.””

Jack Cady book The Night We Buried Road Dog

It got downright mystifying just trying to figure out which was worse. At nineteen, it’s hard to know how to act.
Source: The Night We Buried Road Dog (1993), p. 463

Women, War

“I would talk to myself but I’m not a good listener.”

Ron English (1959) American artist

Ron English's Fauxlosophy: Volume 2 (2022)

“There’s something about writing books that gives us the permission to discuss things that aren’t as easy to talk about in everyday life. To me, the whole point of writing books is to look at the unexamined, the unspeakable, and the unarticulated.”

Susan Cain (1968) self-help writer

Mineo, Liz (interviewer), "That feeling you get when listening to sad music? It's humanity", The Harvard Gazette, May 11, 2022.

Life, Books

“As long as there is a wall, barbed wire and orders to shoot, there can be no talk of normality in Germany.”

Helmut Kohl (1930–2017) former chancellor of West Germany (1982-1990) and then the united Germany (1990-1998)

As quoted in "East, West Mark Berlin Wall in Conflicting Ways" https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1986/08/14/east-west-mark-berlin-wall-in-conflicting-ways/0ee15034-ea45-4c31-9490-7f64e7ac159b/ (August 14, 1986), The Washington Post

“I only know how to approach a place by walking. For what does a street photographer do but walk and watch and wait and talk, and then watch and wait some more, trying to remain confident that the unexpected, the unknown, or the secret heat of the known awaits just around the corner.”

Alex Webb (photographer) (1952) American photojournalist

Source: Bubacz, Kate (June 6, 2017). "6 Photographers On What It Means To Be Close Enough" https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katebubacz/get-closer. BuzzFeed.

Secret, Confidence, Waiting

“A lot of people seem to me to be losing their heads, and talking and thinking as though Munich had made war more, instead of less, imminent.”

Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940) Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Statement (end of October 1938), quoted in Keith Feiling, Neville Chamberlain (1946; 1970), p. 386
Prime Minister

War, People, Thinking

“Every single person in America was talking about the sucker punch heard 'round the world. That whole 'Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth' didn’t really work out.”

Bill Maher (1956) American stand-up comedian

Toxic Femininity (2022)

World, Personality

“Sometimes I write to keep from going crazy. There’s a world of things I don’t feel free to talk to anyone about.”

Octavia E. Butler book Parable of the Sower

Source: Parable of the Sower (1993), p. 52

World, Feeling

“I am starting to talk fast now, and I have to remember to slow down because when I get excited, I start to sound like myself and my American accent goes away.”

NoViolet Bulawayo book We Need New Names

We Need New Names (2013)

“Because we are so accustomed to talking about race in terms of black and white, we often fail to recognize and contest expressions of racism that target people of color who are not black.”

Angela Davis Are Prisons Obsolete?

Source: Are Prisons Obsolete? (2003), Chapter Two

People, Color

“I always find it interesting to talk to students, no matter when and where. The young generation is the master of the future. Whether coming from the United States or any other country, you all represent the future of your country.”

Nguyễn Tấn Dũng (1949) Prime Minister of Vietnam

Future, Country

“As long as people are still talking, there is a glimmer of hope. War does not bring any solutions, only destruction, suffering and lack of peace.”

Mieczysław Mokrzycki (1961) Polish bishop

Ukraine: Church continues to help refugees and pray for peace https://acninternational.org/ukraine-church-continues-to-help-refugees-and-pray-for-peace/ (24 February 2022)

War, People, Peace, Hope

“I do not know why a girl should be expected to talk well till she is at least twenty. There cannot be much in her, she may be prettily exacting, or charmingly modest, but her attractions must be personal, not intellectual.”

Jean Ingelow (1820–1897) British writer

Source: Off the Skelligs: A Novel (1872), Ch. 12, p. 188.

Girl, Personality

“The real question that now divides the country and which truly divides the House of Commons, is church or no church. People talk of the war in Spain, and the Canada question. But all that is of little moment. The real question is church or no church.”

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852) British soldier and statesman

Statement (1838), quoted in John Morley, The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. I (1903), p. 155

War, People, Question, Housing

“You know, the need for high-speed Internet is — is a little bit like what used to be probably what my grandfather talked about: needing to have a telephone. It’s pretty consequential. And it’s only going to keep growing, this need. High-speed Internet is not a luxury any longer, it’s a necessity.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2022, May 2022, Remarks By President Biden on the Affordable Connectivity Program

Speed

“AN ANGRY ARMY COUNCIL
By ‘J. L’

The Constitution was enacted
Much to de Valera’s pride
However on the Army Council
Its dissatisfaction did not hide

From the published organs
To the gunmen on the run
They spread the message of their leaders
To each and everyone

In West Cork there is Tom Barry
A recent chief-of-staff
Who believes Republican ambitions
Have just been cut in half

Meanwhile we’ve our three Seans
Russell, Mitchell, and MacBride
Dwindling in numbers
It’s too late to pick a side

Russell’s talking to the Germans
MacBride fights in the courts
While Mitchell’s on the racecourse
Good horses he reports

An angry army council
Is fuming to the core
Feeling betrayed by the government
For not doing more”

J.L (1610–1666)

Source: Irish Republican Archives

Feeling, Horse, Fight

“The moon is friend for the lonesome to talk to”

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) American writer and editor

“(NOT ENOUGH) " Let your Success do the talking. " ( what ifi fail at the process ) ENGR. ABAN SULE”

Engr.Abah Sule

Success

“People often don't talk about other people's thoughts and feelings. Many people don't even care. And when they do, they usually speak from a completely different point of view. How difficult it is for us to escape from the prison of subjectivity. From personal ego. From prejudice and assessment of profit and loss which basically only puts forward self-interest. How difficult it is to accept other people without having to consider who they really are. Why can't we escape from the burden of selflessness. Why is it difficult to do good solely for the good itself.”

Titon Rahmawan

#Subjectivity

People, Feeling, Loss, Personality

“But we never want to talk about sadness without leaving a scar. We don't even realize that behind the wound inside the oyster's body is a beautiful pearl.”

Titon Rahmawan

#The sadness

Sadness, Beauty

“NOT ENOUGH " Let your Success do the talking. " ( what ifi fail at the process ) ENGR. ABAN SULE”

Engr.Abah Sule

Success

“To the intellectual the struggle for freedom is more vital than the actuality of a free society. He would rather "work, fight, talk, for liberty than have it."”

Eric Hoffer (1898–1983) American philosopher

Source: The Ordeal of Change (1963), Ch. 12: "Concerning Individual Freedom". [In this passage "work, fight, talk, for liberty than have it" is a quotation of Lincoln Steffens from The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens (1931), p. 635]

Freedom, Fight

“The person who doesn't talk behind back, but to his face, either hates himself or loves himself. The moron despises it, the intelligent esteems it.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: La persona che non parla alle spalle, ma in faccia, o si odia o si ama. Il deficiente la disprezza, l'intelligente la stima.
Source: prevale.net

Love, Hate, Intelligence, Personality

“One of the secrets to success in creating relationships and building communication with others is in our ability to see problems from a comprehensive perspective. That is, from our personal point of view and from the eyes of the other person we are talking to.”

Titon Rahmawan

Secret, Communication, Problem, Success

“Love needs no explanation, of course. There's nothing to explain. About love or longing. The thoughts that accompany our feelings. It's been there for a long time. Ever since it first came to say hello and then declared itself.

It's not something strange, not easily understood. It's like the togetherness we share today. Sit and chat with friends. Enjoying time and joking. Playing old songs, from The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro and Elvis Presley.

We're not too old to go back to those days. Revisiting the stories of the past. Talking about paintings from Sudjojono or Affandi to Dede Eri Supria and Lucia Hartini. Arguing who is greater; Chairil, Sapardi or Sutardji?

We put aside the issues of political depravity and the news of leadership succession that is not what the public expects. Let time resolve everything. Better to talk about climate change, which is sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny. Or the heat that does not hesitate to burn your head until it reaches 37° while in other places heavy rains cause floods everywhere. We will never know, until the wind takes us back from the past.”

Titon Rahmawan

Love, Feeling, Change, Time