John Morley: “Once again, it was not words that made the power of the orator, it was…”

On the record

Once again, it was not words that made the power of the orator, it was the relation in purpose, feeling, and conviction between him and his audience.

Said by

John Morley

Source

Morley reflects on the essence of effective oratory being the connection between speaker and audience.

More from John Morley

With a few exceptions, a political speech like the manna in the wilderness loses its savour on the second day.

But we have no right to cast on him any responsibility beyond what is strictly military.

This was a complete falsification of a whole set of our national promises.

Inspire him with the desire of pleasing; he will soon know more of the art than all the masters could teach him.

Other voices in this conversation

John Morley: “Once again, it was not words that made the power of the orator, it was the relation in purpose, feeling, and conviction…”