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50 powerful quotes to start your presentation.

best quotes on presentations

Written by Kai Xin Koh

best quotes on presentations

When was the last time you attended a conference where the speaker didn’t just say: “Oh hi, my name is XYZ and today, I’ll be speaking to you about Topic X”?

Great stories possess riveting narrative arcs that begin strong and end strong. We’ve written at length about some of the best ways to end your presentation , but how does one design a presentation to start without sounding too cliche?

One of the most powerful ways to begin a presentation is to start by sharing a powerful and memorable quote that relates to the message of your talk.

Powerful quotes have so much power on your presentation. Not only does it help reinforce your message, it also helps boost your credibility since it implied the quote is ‘agreeing’ with your statement.

Take this TED talk by Andrew Solomon for example. Notice how he skilfully uses a quote from a book by Emily Dickinson to set the stage for his numerous anecdotes regarding the topic on Depression in his presentation:

Hence, if you’re looking to follow suit and start your next presentation strong with a powerful quote, we’ve got you covered. Here, we compiled a list of 50 quotes that you can use to boost your next presentation.

50 Powerful Quotes To Start Your Presentation:

1)   “ The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” –  Mark Twain

2) “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” –  Babe Ruth

3) “ If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” –  Albert Einstein

4) “ If you’re too comfortable, it’s time to move on. Terrified of what’s next? You’re on the right track.” –  Susan Fales Hill

5) “ Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” –  Bill Gates

6) “ You can’t look at the competition and say you’re going to do it better. You have to look at the competition and say you’re going to do it differently.” –  Steve Jobs

7) “ Make every detail perfect and limit the number of details to perfect.” –  Jack Dorsey

8) “ Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” –  Oprah Winfrey

9) “ Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.” –  Jay Danzie

10)  “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” –  Warren Buffett

11)  “Some entrepreneurs think how can I make a lot of money? But a better way is to think how can I make people’s lives a lot better? If you get it right, the money will come.” –  Richard Branson

12)  “When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars people said, ‘Nah, what’s wrong with a horse? ’ That was a huge bet he made, and it worked.” –  Elon Musk

13)  “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.” –  Ray Goforth

14)   “Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.” –  Charles F. Kettering

15)  “People rarely buy what they need. They buy what they want.”   – Seth Godin

16)  “Please think about your legacy, because you’re writing it every day.”   – Gary Vaynerchuck

17)  “The golden rule for every business man is this: Put yourself in your customer’s place.” –  Orison Swett Marden

18)  “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”   –  David Brinkley

19)  “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid.”   –  Einstein

20)  “The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.”   –  Lilly Tomlin

21)  “ When you run a part of the relay and pass on the baton, there is no sense of unfinished business in your mind. There is just the sense of having done your part to the best of your ability. That is it. The hope is to pass on the baton to somebody who will run faster and run a better marathon.”   – N. R. Narayana Murthy

22)  “Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger.” – Tony Hsieh

23)  “When you find an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue.”   – Josh James

24)  “What would you do if you’re not afraid?” –  Sheryl Sandberg

25)  “Don’t worry about failure, you only have to be right once.”   – Drew Houston

26)  “When I’m old and dying. I plan to look back on my life and say ‘Wow, an adventure’ not, ‘Wow, I sure felt safe’” – Tom Preston Werner

27)  “80% of your sales comes from 20% of your clients.”   – Vilfredo Pareto

28)  “You just have to pay attention to what people need and what has not been done.”   – Russell Simmons

29)  “We are really competing against ourselves, we have no control over how other people perform.”   – Pete Cashmore

30)  “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”   – Wayne Gretzy

31)  “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.”   – George Lucas

32)  “If people like you they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you they’ll do business with you.”   – Zig Ziglar

33)  “Words may inspire but action creates change.”   – Simon Sinek

34)  “It isn’t what we say or think that denies us, but what we do.”   – Jane Austen

35)  “Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be someone; get action.”   – Theodore Roosevelt

36)  “There is only one boss. The customer.” – Sam Walton

37)  “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

38)  “You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having.” –  Frank Lloyd Wright

39)  “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

40)  “Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” – Bob Marley

41)  “There is no great genius without some touch of madness.”    – Seneca

42)  “If you think you are too small to make an impact try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” – Ekaterina Walter

43)   “If you just work on stuff that you like and you’re passionate about, you don’t have to have a master plan with how things will play out.” – Mark Zuckerberg

44)   “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” –  Thomas Edison

45)  “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”  – Abraham Lincoln

46)  “Don’t build links. Build relationships.”   – Rand Fishkin

47)   “100 percent of the shots you don’t take, don’t go in.”   –  Wayne Gretzky, Hockey Legend

48)  “If you’ve got an idea, start today. There’s no better time than now to get going. That doesn’t mean quit your job and jump into your idea 100 percent from day one, but there’s always small progress that can be made to start the movement.” – Kevin Systrom, Founder of Instagram

49)   “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”   –  Jack Welch, Former CEO of GE

50)    “You must be very patient, very persistent. The world isn’t going to shower gold coins on you just because you have a good idea. You’re going to have to work like crazy to bring that idea to the attention of people. They’re not going to buy it unless they know about it.”  –   Herb Kelleher, Founder of Southwest Airlines.

There you have it!

Phew! – now you have an additional 50 powerful quotes that you can add in your presentation arsenal. Leave an unforgettable impression on your presentation with these quotes starting today!

Comment down your favourite quote. And let us know if you have any that we didn’t add to the list!

Article Written By: Kai Xin Koh

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Blog > Powerful Quotes for your PowerPoint Presentations

Powerful Quotes for your PowerPoint Presentations

07.24.20   •  #powerpointtips.

One of the most powerful ways to begin a presentation is to start by sharing a influential and morable quote that relates to the message of your talk. This can loosen up the beginning, consciously encourage important things while speaking or end the presentation with a meaningful conclusion and underline the main topic again.

This will bring liveliness and power to your presentation and create a more pleasant environment for your audience!

Quotes for presentations. Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. Albert Einstein.

Quotes can be funny, inspirational, profound, successful, motivational, meaningless or basically everything! The most important thing is that they fit the today´s topic, correspond to the situation. This means, that they are appropriate and reinforce the actual theme.

If you are looking for great lines you can use in your PowerPoint or other presentations, you are perfectly right here! Read the following article to get inspired and to find a suitable citation you can use for your speech in school, work, business or anywhere and to leave an unforgettable impression on your presentation.

To save time, we have already created PowerPoint Templates below, which you can download for free!

According to time:

Quotes for Beginning

Quotes while presenting, quotes for ending.

According to category:

In case you need more specific citations, have a look at different sections of quotes:

Inspirational / Motivational

With quotations to open your presentation you can represent yourself in a great authentic and relaxed way. The audience gets an exciting insight into the upcoming topic and in the best case can relate with the citation and thus build a sympathetic bond to you as the presenter. And all this is achieved by just one simple sentence.

How we live is what makes us real. Quotes for PowerPoint

Powerful quotes to start your presentation

  • "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain
  • "If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein
  • "Words may inspire but action creates change." – Simon Sinek
  • "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." - Bob Marley
  • "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." – David Brinkley
  • "Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games." - Babe Ruth | Baseball Legend
  • "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." - Bill Gates
  • "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently." - Warren Buffett
  • "The golden rule for every business man is this: Put yourself in your customer’s place." - Orison Swett Marden
  • "You can't blame gravity for falling in love." - Albert Einstein

Using powerful citations while speaking makes your presentation much more exciting and memorable. A meaningful quotation gives your words much more power and emphasis and can additionally emphasize important things. Furthermore, if a listener hears a mentioned citation of your presentation one more time, he will most likely remember you.

Follow that dream. PowerPoint quotes for presentations

Powerful quotes to reinforce essential topics

  • "Some entrepreneurs think how can I make a lot of money? But a better way is to think how can I make people’s lives a lot better? If you get it right, the money will come." - Richard Branson
  • "When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars people said, ‘Nah, what’s wrong with a horse?’ That was a huge bet he made, and it worked." - Elon Musk
  • "Please think about your legacy, because you’re writing it every day." – Gary Vaynerchuck
  • "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid." - Albert Einstein
  • "When you find an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue." – Josh James
  • "Don’t worry about failure, you only have to be right once." – Drew Houston
  • "You just have to pay attention to what people need and what has not been done." - Russel Simmmons
  • "If people like you they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you they’ll do business with you." – Zig Ziglar
  • "Don’t build links. Build relationships." – Rand Fishkin
  • "There is no great genius without some touch of madness." – Seneca

best quotes on presentations

With citations you have the opportunity to clarify the topic just dealt with in one sentence and it is highly recommended to use this chance. Your audience will remember the end best, as it is the shortest, so it should be well chosen and memorable. It should also match your personality as well as the theme and be catchy.

It always seems impossible, until it's done. Nelson Mandela. Quote for PowerPoint

Powerful quotes to close your presentation

  • "100 percent of the shots you don’t take, don’t go in." – Wayne Gretzky | Hockey Legend
  • "When I’m old and dying. I plan to look back on my life and say ‘Wow, an adventure’ not, ‘Wow, I sure felt safe.’" – Tom Preston Werner
  • "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been." – Wayne Gretzy
  • "It isn’t what we say or think that denies us, but what we do." – Jane Austen
  • "Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be someone; get action." – Theodore Roosevelt
  • "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." – Barack Obama
  • "You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having." – Frank Lloyd Wright
  • "It always seems impossible until it’s done." – Nelson Mandela
  • "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." – Thomas Edison
  • "If you think you are too small to make an impact try going to bed with a mosquito in the room." - Ekaterina Walter

Best citations by category

Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion. Tony Hsieh. PPT quote

  • "Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
  • "Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion." - Tony Hsieh
  • "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney
  • "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein
  • "He who only does what he can will always remain what he is." - Henry Ford

You can't blame gravity for falling in love. -Albert Einstein. Funny quote

  • "Success is like being pregnant, everybody congratulates you, but nobody knows how many times you got fucked." - Author unknown
  • "If you want your children to listen, try talking softly to someone else." - Ann Landers
  • "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
  • "Anger is a hot coal that you hold in your hand while waiting to throw it at someone else." - Buddha

The only thing, that overcomes hard luck is hard work. Harry Golden. Quotes used in PowerPoints

  • "Either you run the day or the day runs you." - Jim Rohn
  • "It's the will not the skill." - Jim Tunney
  • "Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work." - Joseph Barbara
  • "I have never done that before so I should definitely be able to do it!" - Pippi Longstocking
  • "The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work." - Harry Golden

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. Bill Gates. Buisness quote.

  • "Paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich." - Henry Ford
  • "The prize for success is that it unlocks harder challenges with more at stake for next time." - Author unknown
  • "The opposite to good design is always bad design. There is no such thing as no design." - Adam Judge

If you want to be happy, be happy. -Leo Tolstoy. motivational quote

  • "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." - Bob Dylan
  • "The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it." - Henry Ford
  • "If you want to be happy, be happy." - Leo Tolstoy
  • "So far you have survived 100% of your worst days." - Author unknown
  • "Great Lessons are only learned when the stakes are high." - Georgina Hobart

Chinese language quote. When written in chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. ONe represents Danger and the other one represents opportunity. John F. Kennedy

  • "When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity." - John F. Kennedy
  • "When in doubt, don't." - Benjamin Franklin
  • "The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
  • "Easy choises, hard life. Hard choices easy life." - Jerzy Gregorek
  • "What you begrudge others will be withheld from yourself." - Author unknown

Now you have 60 quotes you can incorporate into your presentation to stand out from the everyday, all-too-familiar phrases that everyone knows.

But remember: Under no circumstances should they be discriminatory, racist or offensive, so you need to make yourself known in advance through your audience.

Leave your personal impression and convince your audience with simple but incredibly strong lines!

Free PowerPoint Templates

In addition, we have already created some PowerPoint templates for you, which you can download for free. Simply replace the existing quotes or image if you want and adapt the slides to your presentation!

PowerPoint Quote design ideas

What are good quotes for starting a presentation?

By opening your presentation with a quote you can represent yourself in an authentic way. The audience gets an exciting insight into the upcoming topic and in the best case can relate with the quote and thus build a sympathetic bond to you as the presenter. And all this is achieved by just one simple sentence. Here is a list of good quotes to begin a presentation .

What are good quotes for ending a presentation?

With citations you have the opportunity to clarify the topic just dealt with in one sentence and it is highly recommended to use this chance. Your audience will remember the end best, so it should be well chosen and memorable. It should also match your personality as well as the theme and be catchy. Here is a list of good quotes to finish a presentation .

What are powerful quotes for a PowerPoint presentation?

One of the most powerful ways to begin a presentation is to start by sharing a influential and memorable quote that relates to the message of your talk. This can loosen up the beginning, consciously encourage important things while speaking or end the presentation with a meaningful conclusion and underline the main topic again. We have collected 60 powerful quotes for your PowerPoint presentation .

Related articles

About the author.

best quotes on presentations

Philipp Angerer

Philipp is a creative supporter at SlideLizard in marketing and design. There he uses his imagination and provides creative freshness, also in blog articles.

best quotes on presentations

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Vocal distractions.

In vocal distractions filler words like um, er, and you know are used during a pause.

Motivational Presentation

A motivational presentation is meant to inspire people. In a company, for example, you could tell the company's story in a motivational presentation.

Screen presentation

A screen presentation is a graphic support and accompaniment to a spoken presentation. A popular programme for creating screen presentations is PowerPoint.

Slide Layouts

PowerPoint has different types of Slide Layouts. Depending on which type of presentation you make, you will use more or less different slide layouts. Some Slide Types are: title slides, section heading slides, picture with caption slides, blank slides.

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19 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Create An Amazing Presentation

Stuck in powerpoint purgatory start with this great advice.

Business conference

I've been reading a great book about presenting:   Nancy Duarte's HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations . And it's reinforcing my experience that the key to an effective presentation is not flashy slides--it's a compelling, well-told story.

As Ms. Duarte says: "My best advice is not to start in PowerPoint. Presentation tools force you to think through information linearly, and you really need to start by thinking of the whole instead of the individual lines."

Here are 19 other inspiring quotes to consider next time you need to create a presentation:

  • " Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it 'to whom it may concern." - Ken Haemer
  • "The whole purpose is to enable people to learn. Your mission is not to transmit information but to transform learners." - Harold D. Stolovitch and Erica J. Keeps
  • "If you can't write your message in a sentence, you can't say it in an hour." -Dianna Booher  
  • "The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives." - Lilly Walters
  • "If you don't know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will." - Harvey Diamond
  • "They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carl W. Buechner
  • "No one can remember more than three points."?- Philip Crosby
  • "Ask yourself, 'If I had only sixty seconds on the stage, what would I absolutely have to say to get my message across."? - Jeff Dewar
  •  "The simplest way to customize is to phone members of the audience in advance and ask them what they expect from your session and why they expect it. Then use their quotes throughout your presentation."?- Alan Pease
  • "Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much. "?Robert Greenleaf
  • "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." - Albert Einstein
  • "Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening."?- Dorothy Sarnoff
  • "Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all."?- Sir Winston Churchill
  • "The brain doesn't pay attention to boring things." - John Medina
  • "Performance is not about getting your act together, but about opening up to the energy of the audience." - Benjamin Zander
  • "People don't remember what we think is important. They remember what they think is important." - John Maxwell
  • "Naturally sticky ideas are stuffed full of concrete words and images." - Chip Heath
  • "A great presentation gives smart ideas an advantage." - Nancy Duarte
  • "If you think presentations cannot enchant people, then you have never seen a really good one." - Guy Kawaski

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Quotes to Start Your Presentation

55 Powerful and Inspiring Quotes to Start Your Presentation

Have you ever stopped to think about the best strategies to start a presentation and gain the audience’s attention or interlocutor? Did you know that using motivational phrases to create a presentation is a great alternative?

According to businessman and filmmaker Peter Davies,

“Motivation is like food for the brain; you can’t have enough at a meal. Motivation needs continuous and regular recharges to nurture deep and transform a human being into a winner.”

Among the techniques you can and should use, the citation should undoubtedly be among the main in your list.

A relevant quote, which is aligned with the theme of its presentation, tied to the purpose and objective, creates a strong connection with the audience, often arousing interest and attention.

An unforgettable introduction is the first step in starting a presentation or speech. Often, we are focused only on the content presented, completely forgetting that, for the public to pay attention, it is necessary to arrest them from the beginning.

5 Best Techniques to start a Presentation or Speech

However, an important point to consider when speaking in public: Citations will depend on the style of the audience, and the moment the presenter lives. Do not push too hard or adopt a tone of voice or language that does not suit the public.

A touch of humor is a great way to break the ice with the audience, relieve tension and connect with everyone. As the example given above quote, the key to success is making the joke related to the topic being discussed.

During the presentation, telling a story is another very clever way to start a speech.  After all, stories compellingly connect people.

‘s content.

This technique consists of giving a brief thought-provoking statement, which will set the tone of the presentation theme, especially if this is said with a strong voice, which draws attention and leaves the group ready to hear what’s next.

In this sense, an example of an excellent way to catch the public’s attention is to say the sentence and pause, up to 10 seconds. 

Using surprising statistics will show the public an immediate value in their knowledge, leaving them more interested throughout their presentation. 

It also helps stimulate the audience’s thoughts; this technique works very well when the facts reported are not common knowledge but are nevertheless relevant and stimulating.

Please make sure to be brief in the opening statement, so your opening won’t get too many easy-to-forget details.

1. “Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” Coco Chanel

We are often afraid to start a project no matter how much we have ideas that are outside the box, and when compared to other people, we thought that this would not be successful. 

2.  “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt
3. “Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” Oprah Winfrey

With the illustrious phrase of another inspiring woman Oprah Winfrey, it became clear how error always has a positive side; getting it right is not always what we need from error comes the improvement of an idea that can continuously be improved.

4. “The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” Henry Ford

If we discover what makes us happy, we can always succeed because happiness is the path of inspiration that leads us to unimaginable ways.

5. “A belief is only a thought you keep thinking.” Abraham Hicks
6. If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou

Often we can criticize something or behavior when we think we can do better; Angelou encourages us to get up and do it. If we still can’t change, maybe we have to change our attitude towards the situation that bothers us.

7. If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way. Napoleon Hill
8. Innovation, as I understand it, is both about doing different things as well as doing things differently.” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
9. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.” Steve Jobs

When we choose the course we want to take in college, we often choose a course that our parents choose, and that doesn’t make us happy, which we shouldn’t do because we are supposed to live for ourselves and our happiness.

10. “Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.” Margaret Mead

55 Powerful and Inspiring Quotes to Start Your Presentation

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5 QUICK TIPS ON HOW TO GIVE AN EFFECTIVE MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH

This post is part 3 of a series of posts that where we will be sharing with you quick tips on how to deliver all types of speech that we mentioned in our most-read post on this blog, 10 Types of Speeches. Instead of just telling you that there is a motivational speech or an…

26 Motivational and Inspirational Quotes on Life, Success, and Positive Thinking to Make Your Day

11. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
12. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s much easier to follow the path that many people have taken may seem safer. Yet, here Emerson suggests that choosing a direction is knowledge, adventure, or whatever it is we decided to learn new things and share with other people that would be the trail.

13. “People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” Edmund Hillary

People aren’t born brilliant. They make decisions and make choices that push outside the box and are exceptional.

14. “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” William Faulkner
15. “Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it ‘to whom it may concern.” Ken Haemer

You have got to prepare yourself for whichever situations or people you’re going to come across in different environments and conditions so that you don’t do things that don’t make sense.

16. Some people feel the rain. Others get wet.” Bob Marley
17. “When I’m old and dying. I plan to look back on my life and say ‘Wow, an adventure’ not, ‘Wow, I sure felt safe.’” Tom Preston Werner
18. Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take place wherever you are and be someone; get action.” Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt encourages us to get better lives by doing something, turning into reality our dreams by consistently taking action.

19. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama
20. You have to go wholeheartedly into anything to achieve anything worth having.” Frank Lloyd Wright
21. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela

With this simple phrase, Mandela brings us a crucial message to live an extraordinary life; when we start by somewhere and are not there yet, it seems unreachable but never is if we don’t give up trying.

22. “There are only two days of the year when you can do nothing: one is called yesterday and the other tomorrow” Dalai Lama
23. “In the end, everything works out, and if it didn’t work, it’s because it hasn’t come to an end” Fernando Sabino

What Sabino means is you have to be patient because someday, our time to shine will come.

24. “The pessimist sees difficulty at every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity at every difficulty” Winston Churchill

When we sync our minds to positive thinking, anything we face is reachable, and we get things done because everything turns into an opportunity to learn and grow.

26. “You have to be a protagonist. You can’t just listen to the band play, and you have to be part of the band” Sonia Hess
27. Our failures are sometimes more fruitful than our successes” Henry Ford
28. “Change your mind and change your world” Norman Vincent Peale

If we have an open mind, we will find that our way of thinking is not always the right one, and when we change our review, we will be able to put it into practice in our lives.

29. “One day you must stop dreaming, take the plans out of the drawer and somehow start” Amyr Klink
30. “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change, simply by changing his attitude” Oprah Winfrey
31. “Keep in mind that your desire to achieve success is more important than anything” Abraham Lincoln

What Lincoln means is that we must work hard to achieve our goals and put them as priorities in life if we want to achieve them.

32. “Be content to act. Leave the speech to others” Baltasar Gracián
33. “To achieve success, you need to accept all the challenges that lie ahead of you. You can’t just accept the ones you prefer” Mike Gafka
34. “A successful warrior is an average man, but with a sharp focus like a laser beam” Bruce Lee

Lee means that even though a warrior is seen with prestige, he is a regular man. Still, the difference between them and what he is, is how he put attention to what he wants, and we can compare that analogy with daily situations such us when we see some people more successful than others.

35. “Logic can lead from point A to point B. Imagination can lead anywhere” Albert Einstein
36. “The task is not so much to see what no one has seen, but to think what no one has thought about what everyone sees.” Arthur Schopenhauer
37. “It is much better to set out in search of great conquests, even exposing oneself to failure, than to align oneself with the poor in spirit, who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey gloom, where they know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

Living adventurously and risky is much more satisfying and rewarding than having a monotonous and safe life.

38. “What we predict rarely occurs; what we least expect usually happens.” Benjamin Disraeli
39. “Unless we change our way of thinking, we will not be able to solve the problems caused by the way we get used to seeing the world.” Albert Einstein

Einstein encourages us to see situations more dynamically because we socialized in a certain way with ease; our thoughts can become a cycle of ignorance.

40. “Persistence is the least path to success.” Charles Chaplin

7 Steps for Writing an Inspiring Graduation Speech 

You were chosen to make the graduation speech of your class, you were pleased by the trust placed by your colleagues, but now you face a problem: the blank page of Word waits to be filled with inspirational words. First thing, breathe out and relax; everyone who has ever made a graduation speech has faced…

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41. “To discover consists in looking at what everyone is seeing and thinking something different.” Roger von Oech

This means that we have to think like no one ever thought or even imagined to discover something.

42. “Sometimes we feel that what we do is only a drop of water in the sea. But the sea would be smaller if it lacked a drop”. Mother Teresa de Calcuta
43. “The more our knowledge increases, the more evident is our ignorance.” John F. Kennedy

The more things you learn, the more things you need to learn because no one can know anything about anything.

44. When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the plane takes off against the wind, not in his favor.” Henry Ford

Remember that Henry Ford suggested the car model we use today back in his time, and nobody but him believed it was possible, he had nobody but himself to hold hands. Don’t give up.

45. “No matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” Confucius
46. “An entrepreneur sees opportunities where others see only problems.” Michael Gerber
47. Choose a job you like, and you won’t have to work a single day of your life.” Confucius
48. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, you will succeed.” Albert Schweitzer

As Nga, a rapper, says, there is no way to happiness because happiness is when we vibrate good feelings, especially do things we love, life becomes more accessible.

49. “Don’t play games you don’t understand, even if you see many other people making money with them.” Tony Hsieh
50. “Nothing great has ever been achieved without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
51. “The thoughts we choose to have are the tools we use to paint the picture of our lives.” Louise Hay

Your way of thinking will determine the course of our lives, which means always be open to new forms of thinking so you can live in a more inclusive World.

52. “Success is born of wanting, determination, and persistence in reaching a goal. Even not reaching the target, who seeks and overcomes obstacles, at least will do admirable things.” José de Alencar
53. “To act, that is the true intelligence. I will be whatever I want. But I have to want whatever it is. Success lies in being successful, not in being able to succeed. Palace conditions have any wide land, but where will the palace be if they don’t do it there?” Fernando Pessoa

Pessoa says that when we want something, conditions don’t determine if we thrive or not, but our vibration towards it and that will makes us anything we desire.

54. “You can get anything you want in life if you help other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar

If you are kind to other people, they will give back in the future.

55. I like the impossible because there is less competition.” Walt Disney

Ace The Presentation. Amadebai, E. 11 Best Body Language Tips for Engaging Presentations.

Ace The Presentation. Amadebai, E. 8 Awesome Persuasive Speech Techniques.

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An easy guide to all 15 types of speech, why mastering public speaking skills will improve your life – 4 examples., these are the colors to wear when giving a presentation, here’s an excellent keynote speech guide: with 2 great examples, 80+ impromptu speech topics & 7 ways to nail one, the 15 different types of motivational speakers.

50 quotes to enhance your presentations

  • Written by: Shay O’Donnell
  • Categories: Sales presentations , Visual communication
  • Comments: 6

presentation quotes

Whether you’re looking to inspire your audience, need a strong presentation starter, or want a concise soundbite to end your presentation with, using a quote in your presentation can be a great way to support your slides’ story and enhance your presentation’s flow. Presentation quotes give you – as the presenter – a moment to breathe, while the audience is reading the slide ( a reminder of why you shouldn’t be reading your quotes aloud is here ). They enable your audience to quickly and concisely understand your presentation’s key message, and give you an extra boost of credibility to boot.

The struggle comes when you have to find presentation quotes that fit your story, come from a reputable source, and have an attribution to get you through legal and compliance checks. But worry not: BrightCarbon have done the hard work for you!

We have compiled 50 presentation quotes and categorized them into 10 themes so that you can easily find a quote that resonates with your message, be it in a sales presentation, keynote speech, or training deck. All the quotes include references and attributions, so that you can sail through compliance and get on with creating a stunning presentation!

Pop this in your bookmarks tab (you’ll thank us later!), then dig in and find the perfect presentation quotes below:

Innovation quotes for presentations

  • “Innovation, as I understand it, is both about doing different things as well as doing things differently.” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biotech Entrepreneur From an interview with Dr. Bhavana Weidman on nature.com (January 04, 2014)
  • “Innovation is more than having new ideas: it includes the process of successfully introducing them or making things happen in a new way. It turns ideas into useful, practicable and commercial products or services.” John Adair, Writer on Business Leadership. Effective Innovation (2009), Revised Edition ch. 11
  • “Every new thing creates two new questions and two new opportunities.” Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon From ‘The electricity metaphor for the web’s future’, presented at TED2003 (February 2003)
  • “Innovation is fostered by information gathered from new connections; from insights gained by journeys into other disciplines or places; from active, collegial networks and fluid, open boundaries. “Innovation arises from ongoing circles of exchange, where information is not just accumulated or stored, but created. Knowledge is generated anew from connections that weren’t there before.” Meg Wheatley, Author and Management Consultant Leadership and the New Science (2001)
  • “We are all looking for the magic formula. Well, here you go: Creativity + Iterative Development = Innovation.” James Dyson, Founder of Dyson ‘James Dyson on Innovation’,  Ingenia , Issue 24 (September 2005)

best quotes on presentations

Design quotes for presentations

  • “Good design begins with honesty, asks tough questions, comes from collaboration and from trusting your intuition.” Freeman Thomas, Automobile and Industrial Designer Reviving Professional Learning Communities: Strength Through Diversity, Conflict, Teamwork, and Structure (2012) p. 63
  • “The urge for good design is the same as the urge to go on living. The assumption is that somewhere, hidden, is a better way of doing things.” Harry Bertoia, Artist and Designer As quoted in 1000 Chairs , Carlotte and Peter Fiell (2005) p. 66
  • “People think it’s this veneer — that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Steve Jobs, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc. As quoted in ‘The Guts of a New Machine’, Rob Walker, The New York Times Magazine (November 30, 2003)
  • “Design is redesign.” Jan Michl, Professor Emeritus, Phdr. History and Theories of Design ‘On seeing design as redesign’,  Scandinavian Journal of Design History , Issue 12 (2002) p. 7-23
  • “Design is not about products, design is about relationships.” Hella Jongerius, Industrial Designer ‘Beyond the New: a search for ideals in design’, a manifesto by Hella Jongerius and Louise Schouwenberg (2015) 

best quotes on presentations

Education and learning quotes for presentations

  • “We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet.” Margaret Mead, Anthropologist and Author As quoted in How They Work In Indiana : Business-Education Partnerships , Andrew L. Zehner (1994)
  • “The most important thing any teacher has to learn, not to be learned in any school of education I ever heard of, can be expressed in seven words: Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.” John Holt, Author and Educator Growing Without Schooling , Issue   40 (1984)
  • “True education means fostering the ability to be interested in something.” Sumio Iijima, Physicist ‘About myself, To the younger generation’,  Innovative Engine  (September 25, 2007)
  • “If you think education is expensive — try ignorance.” ‘Ask Ann Landers’ Syndicated Advice Column (October 4, 1975)
  • “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Plutarch, Greek Historian, Biographer, and Essayist On Listening to Lectures

best quotes on presentations

Success quotes for presentations

  • “Success is fucking up on your own terms.” Guillermo del Toro, Director and Producer From Portland Mercury Q&A (September 29, 2010)
  • “We cannot say what brings us success. We can only pin down what blocks or obliterates success. Eliminate the downside, the thinking errors, and the upside will take care of itself. This is all we need to know.” Rolf Dobelli, Author and Businessman The Art of Thinking Clearly (2013)
  • “The secret to success is the willingness to serve without aspiring for rewards.” Cham Joof, Gambian Historian Gambia, Land of our heritage,  p IV
  • “Failure and success are not episodes, they are trajectories. They are tendencies, directions, pathways. Each decision, each time at bat, each tennis serve, each business quarter, each school year seems like a new event, but the next performance is shaped by what happened last time out, unless something breaks the streak. The meaning of any particular event is shaped by what’s come before.” Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Author and Management Consultant Confidence (2006)
  • “Success is more than a good idea. It is timing.” Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop From an interview on bookbrowse.com

best quotes on presentations

Creativity quotes for presentations

  • “Relaxed, playful and harmonious moments are the birth place of creativity.” Amit Ray, Author and Spiritual Master Meditation: Insights and Inspiration (2010) p. 58
  • “Originality is going back to the origin and finding an empty chair. Would you gladly sit on it? No thank you. It is empty for a reason. That’s where my ass was. Not where my head is now.” Giannina Braschi, Puerto Rican Poet, Novelist, and Essayist World Literature Today (2012)
  • “Creativity isn’t about the advantage or disadvantage of a specific time or culture. Creativity is something that comes internally from a human being having a genuine mistrust of rules. And that may be the constant. It’s almost like there’s some rebellion in it.” Paula Scher, Graphic Designer From an interview conducted by Neal Shaffer (2006)
  • “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple of them and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” John Steinbeck, Author Conversations with John Steinbeck , ed. Thomas Fensch (1988)
  • “Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and limitations, the latter (like the river banks) forcing the spontaneity into the various forms which are essential to the work of art or poem.” Rollo May, Psychologist and Author The Courage to Create (1975) p. 115

best quotes on presentations

Teamwork and collaboration quotes for presentations

  • “In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.” Margaret Wheatley, Management Consultant As quoted in 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself , Steve Chandler (2004) p. 123
  • “Life is not a solo act. It’s a huge collaboration.” Tim Gunn, Fashion Consultant and Author ‘Postings | Recent Entries From Our Blogs’, Tara Parker-Pope, The New York Times (December 21, 2010)
  • “Collaboration is important not just because it’s a better way to learn. The spirit of collaboration is penetrating every institution and all of our lives. So learning to collaborate is part of equipping yourself for effectiveness, problem solving, innovation and life-long learning in an ever-changing networked economy.” Don Tapscott, Business Executive and Consultant ‘The spirit of collaboration is touching all of our lives’, The Globe and Mail (June 7, 2013)
  • “As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” Amy Poehler, Actress, Comedian, Director and Producer From The Joy of Success: What It Means to Transform Success Into Excellence,  Tochukwu O. Okafor MPA (2013) p. 53
  • “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Michael Jordan, Basketball Hall of Fame Player and Businessman As quoted in The Victory Letters : Inspiration for the Human Race , Cheri Ruskus (2003) p. 68.

best quotes on presentations

Knowledge quotes for presentations

  • “While knowledge is increasingly being viewed as a commodity or intellectual asset, there are some paradoxical characteristics of knowledge that are radically different from other valuable commodities. These knowledge characteristics include the following: Using knowledge does not consume it. Transferring knowledge does not result in losing it. Knowledge is abundant, but the ability to use it is scarce. Much of an organization’s valuable knowledge walks out the door at the end of the day.” Kimiz Dalkir, Director at McGill School of Information Studies Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice, 2nd ed . (2011)
  • “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Carl Sagan, Astronomer and Popular Science Writer From That’s Weird!: Awesome Science Mysteries , Kendall F. Haven (2001)
  • “Investing in people is the single most important thing in the knowledge economy. Traditionally, wealth was defined by land and natural resources. Today the most important resources is between our ears.” Barack Obama Remarks by President Obama at Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Town Hall, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (April 27, 2014)
  • “You can’t manage knowledge – nobody can. What you can do is to manage the environment in which knowledge can be created, discovered, captured, shared, distilled, validated, transferred, adopted, adapted and applied.” Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell Learning to Fly – Practical Knowledge Management from Leading and Learning Organizations (2005) p. 24-25
  • “The Information Age offers much to mankind, and I would like to think that we will rise to the challenges it presents. But it is vital to remember that information — in the sense of raw data — is not knowledge, that knowledge is not wisdom, and that wisdom is not foresight. But information is the first essential step to all of these.” Arthur C. Clarke, Science Fiction Writer, Inventor, Futurist As quoted in ‘Humanity will survive information deluge — Sir Arthur C Clarke’, OneWorld South Asia (December 5, 2003)

presentation quotes

Leadership quotes for presentations

  • “Successful people become great leaders when they learn to shift the focus from themselves to others.” Marshall Goldsmith, Leadership Coach What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (2010) p. 72
  • “Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus.” Martin Luther King, Jr. From an address at the Episcopal National Cathedral, Washington D.C. (March 31, 1968)
  • “You can’t lead from behind your desk, you’ve got to get out in front, be visible, for your customers as well as for your employees. During a crisis, you’ve got to be calm and confident. You’ve got to always tell the truth. And you’ve got to be willing to face a crisis, not shy away from it, embrace it.” Geisha Williams, Fortune 500 Businesswoman ‘Geisha Williams: Set Your Sights High, Take Charge and Keep the Lights On’, Leadership California , Carol Caley (February 17, 2014)
  • “Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually it implies some risk — especially in new undertakings. Courage to initiate something and to keep it going, pioneering and adventurous spirit to blaze new ways, often, in our land of opportunity.” Walt Disney As quoted in The Disney Way Fieldbook,  Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson (2000) p. 147
  • “Embrace what you don’t know. What you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everyone else.” Sarah Blakely, Founder of Spanx ’10 Lessons I Learned from Sara Blakely That You Won’t Hear in Business School,’ Forbes , Kathy Caprino (May 23, 2012)

best quotes on presentations

Mistakes and failure quotes for presentations

  • “We tell our young managers: ‘Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. But make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice’” Akio Morita, Co-Founder of Sony Corporation As quoted in The Sony Vision , Nick Lyons (1976) p. 101
  • “There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey Commencement address at Harvard University (30 May 2013)
  • “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Suzy Kassem, Author Rise Up And Salute The Sun (2010)
  • “Don’t put limitations on yourself. Other people will do that for you. Don’t do that to yourself. Don’t bet against yourself. And take risk. NASA has this phrase that they like, “Failure is not an option.” But failure has to be an option. In art and exploration, failure has to be an option. Because it is a leap of faith. And no important endeavor that required innovation was done without risk. You have to be willing to take those risks. … In whatever you are doing, failure is an option. But fear is not.” James Cameron, Film Director From ‘Before Avatar … a curious boy’, presented at TED2010 (February 13, 2010)
  • “I view this year’s failure as next year’s opportunity to try it again. Failures are not something to be avoided. You want to have them happen as quickly as you can so you can make progress rapidly.” Gordon Moore, Engineer and Co-Founder of Intel Corporation ‘An Interview with Gordon Moore’, Ingenuity 5 (2), Laura Schmitt (May 2000)

presentation quotes

Planning and strategy quotes for presentations

  • “Chance favours the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur, Microbiologist, Chemist and Inventor Lecture, University of Lille (December 7, 1854)
  • “The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do. ” Michael Porter, Economist, Researcher, Author ‘What is strategy?’ Harvard Business Review  (November 1996) p. 70
  • “Business strategy is the battleplan for a better future.” Patrick Dixon, Author and Business Consultant Building a Better Business (2005)
  • “Managers who extensively plan the future get the timing wrong. Sometimes they arrive to market too early and so must wait for the demand to catch up. Sometimes they are too late and so must accelerate to rejoin the future.” Shona L. Brown and Kathleen M. Eisenhardt Competing on the Edge: Strategy as Structured Chaos (1998) p.135
  • “Strategy is about stretching limited resources to fit ambitious aspirations.” K. Prahalad, Organizational Theorist As quoted in The Wal-Mart Way , Don Soderquist (2005) p. 178

presentation quotes

We hope you found what you needed from our list of presentation quotes! If you’re about to paste that quote onto your deck, but want to know how to format it to perfection, check out our guide to advanced typography in PowerPoint .

Have an idea for a quote we should add to the list? Is there a key theme you want some presentation quotes for? Let us know in the comments below!

best quotes on presentations

Shay O’Donnell

Managing design consultant, related articles, making accessible elearning content.

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Storyboarding is useful when creating visual content. We review Storyboard That, a website that enables users to create their own cartoon storyboards.

best quotes on presentations

Review: Visme

Visual content – infographics, images and animations – can be a much more engaging way of presenting information than text. We at BrightCarbon believe in and share this kind of philosophy with Visme...

best quotes on presentations

Thanks for this post.It’s a helpful quotes for enhance slides.

Glad it was useful Amit! Thank you for your feedback.

it helped me a lot… thanks!

Amazing Quotes. Really Good. These quotes help me making my presentation perfect Thanks & Regard vinita

Thanks for this post

thanks for information

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best quotes on presentations

45 Best Motivational Quotes For Work: Perfect For Presentations & Slide Decks

best quotes on presentations

Focus, determination, and focus. How do you inspire your team? These quotes can help with motivation they need. Great for presentations, slide decks, corporate retreats, or reflection in your next team meeting.

Looking for even more quotations? Try these quotes on productivity and teamwork !

  •  “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen, American film director
  •  “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act. But a habit.” –  Aristotle, Greek philosopher
  •  “If you are not where you want to be, do not quit, Instead reinvent yourself and change your habits.” – Eric Thomas, American motivational speaker
  •  “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford, American industrialist
  •  “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford, American industrialist
  •  “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher
  •  “Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” – Meister Eckhart, German theologian
  •  “Abandon anything about your life and habits that might be holding you back. Learn to create your own opportunities.” – Sophia Amoruso, American businesswoman
  •  “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken..” – Warren Buffett, American business magnate
  •  “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” – John C. Maxwell, American author
  •  “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe, American tennis player
  •  “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”   – Mark Twain, American author
  •  “You can have results or excuses. Not both.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austrian-American actor
  •  “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen, author
  •  “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou, American poet
  •  “Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.” – Leo Babauta, author
  • “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” – Tim Ferriss, American entrepreneur
  • “You have the power on your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor
  •  “Work harder on you than everyone else and you will become unusually successful.” – Dani Johnson, Businesswomen
  • “Self-esteem comes from achieving something important when it’s hard to do.” – Clayton M. Christensen, American business consultant
  •  “Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe, American author
  •  “Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible.” – Miguel De Unamuno, Spanish essayist
  •  “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend first four sharpening the axe. “ – Abraham Lincoln, 16th president
  •  “What better place than here, what better time than now.” – Tony Robbins, American author
  •  “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher
  •  “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur
  •  “Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur
  •  “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president
  •  “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison, American inventor
  •  “You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.” – George Lorimer, American journalist
  •  “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd president
  •  “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi, Indian activist
  •  “If we have the attitude that it’s going to be a great day it usually is.” – Catherine Pulsifier, Author
  •  “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller, American business magnate
  •  “If something is important enough, even if the odds are stacked against you, you should still do it.” – Elon Musk, business magnate
  •  “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” – Sheryl Sandberg, American business executive
  • “Leaders can let you fail and yet not let you be a failure.” – Stanley McChrystal, retired United States Army general
  •  “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” – Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch post-impressionist painter
  •  “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan, American basketball player
  •  “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” – Lou Holtz, former American football player
  •  "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." – Stephen Hawking, English theoretical physicist
  •  "If something is wrong, fix it now. But train yourself not to worry, worry fixes nothing. " – Ernest Hemingway, American novelist
  •  "Everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler." – Albert Einstein, Theoretical physicist
  • "Innovation distinguishes from a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs, American business magnate
  • “Tough times never last, but tough people do.“ – Robert Schuller, motivational speaker

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best quotes on presentations

Famous Quotes on Presentation Skills: Inspiring Quotes on Presentation Skills

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  • Presentation Skills
  • June 12, 2024

Quotes On Presentation Skills

“ Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent. ”  – Dionysius Of Halicarnassus

Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond speaking fluently or crafting compelling slides. It requires an understanding of the nuances of communication, the power of persuasion, and the art of storytelling. While there are countless strategies and techniques to master, one often overlooked source of guidance and inspiration comes from quotes on presentation skills .

Embracing these quotes can provide profound insights and life believing perspectives that elevate your presentations from mere words to impactful messages. Mastering public speaking skills can help you make an unforgettable impression , turning your presentations into powerful tools for influence and engagement.

These concise and insightful nuggets of wisdom, shared by thought leaders and successful individuals throughout history, offer valuable insights into the art of communication and persuasion. These presentation quotes not only serve as sources of inspiration but also offer practical guidance for enhancing presentation skills.

Let’s look at some of the most inspiring quotes on presentation skills . Embracing these quotes can provide profound insights that can influence your whole life . Whether you’re preparing for your next presentation or seeking to deliver a great presentation , these quotes are invaluable. Remember the golden rule : practice and passion lead to perfection. Even a seasoned business man can learn and grow by reflecting on these timeless quotes.

Importance Of Presentation Skills Quotes

Quotes on presentation skills play a crucial role in inspiring, guiding, and reminding individuals of the principles and practices that lead to effective communication. Broadly speaking, quotes on presentation skills are essential because of the following reasons:

The Power of Inspiration and Motivation:

Quotes on presentation skills have the unique ability to inspire and motivate us to strive for excellence in our communication efforts. Whether it’s a quote about the importance of clarity, the value of storytelling, or the impact of authenticity, these words of wisdom can ignite a spark within us, driving us to improve our presentation abilities. When we encounter a powerful quote that resonates with us, it can serve as a reminder of the importance of honing our skills and continuously striving for improvement.

Practical Guidance and Insights:

Beyond inspiration, quotes on presentation skills also offer practical guidance and insights that can inform our approach to presenting. From tips on effective communication techniques to strategies for engaging our audience, these quotes distil complex ideas into simple, actionable advice. By internalising and applying the lessons contained within these quotes, we can refine our presentation style, strengthen our message, and connect more effectively with our audience.

Cultural and Historical Perspective:

Quotes on presentation skills often come from a diverse array of sources, spanning different cultures, industries, and time periods. By exploring these quotes, we gain valuable insights into how communication and persuasion have evolved over time and across cultures. We can learn from the experiences and wisdom of individuals who have excelled in various fields, from business and politics to the arts and academia. This broader cultural and historical perspective enriches our understanding of presentation skills and enables us to adapt and innovate in our own presentations.

Now that you know how significant presentation skills quotes are, let’s dig deep into a few of them!

20 Quotes On Presentation Skills

1. “ There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practised, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave. ” – Dale Carnegie

Renowned for his influential book “ How to Win Friends and Influence People ,” Dale Carnegie revolutionised the field of self-improvement and interpersonal communication through his practical tools and techniques. He emphasised the importance of preparation and reflection. This quote underscores the significance of continuous refinement in your presentation skills. Reflect on each speech, learn from it, and strive for improvement.

2. “ Broadly speaking, the short words are the best and the old words best of all. “ – Sir Winston Churchill.

Known for his stirring speeches during World War II, Winston Churchill mastered the art of impactful communication. His advice is simple yet profound: simplicity and familiarity resonate deeply. In your presentations, opt for straightforward language and timeless concepts. Avoid jargon and complex phrases. You can captivate your audience with clarity and authenticity by adhering to Churchill’s wisdom.

Quotes on Presentation Skills 1

3. “ Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually, it implies some risk — especially in new undertakings. Courage to initiate something and to keep it going, pioneering and adventurous spirit to blaze new ways, often, in our land of opportunity. ” – Walt Disney

Walt Disney , the visionary behind iconic animated characters, recognised the essence of courage in leadership. Courage is indispensable whether leading a team or delivering a presentation. Embrace risks, pioneer new ideas, and persevere through challenges. Apply this principle to your presentations—be bold in your ideas, engage your audience fearlessly, and inspire them with your vision.

4. “ It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech .” Mark Twain

Mark Twain , celebrated for his wit and humour, understood the paradox of spontaneity and preparation. Even impromptu speeches require thoughtful preparation and rehearsal. Mastering spontaneous presentations requires hard work, dedication, and practice. Immerse yourself in the subject matter, anticipate potential scenarios, and hone your improvisational skills. 

5. “ It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time. ” Wayne Burgraff

As a communication expert, Wayne Burgraff highlights the meticulous preparation required for effective presentations. This quote emphasises the significance of investing time in crafting and refining your content. Prioritise research, organisation, and rehearsal to ensure that every minute of your presentation is impactful. By dedicating ample preparation time, you can instil confidence in your delivery and captivate your audience effortlessly.

Quotes on Presentation Skills 2

6.  “ The most precious things in speech are the ……. pauses. ” Sir Ralph Richardson

Pauses are not mere gaps in communication; they are strategic moments of emphasis, reflection, and anticipation. Sir Ralph Richardson , a distinguished actor renowned for his powerful stage presence, recognised the brilliance of silence in speech. Richardson’s ability to use silence wasn’t just about creating dramatic effect; it was about allowing the audience to absorb and reflect on spoken words. In your presentations, consider the impact of well-placed pauses. They give weight to your words, allowing your audience to digest and internalise your message. Embrace the silence, let it speak volumes, and watch as your presentations become more captivating and memorable. 

7. “ Well-timed silence has more eloquence than speech. ” Martin Fraquhar Tupper

In a world filled with noise, silence commands attention and fosters contemplation. Martin Farquhar Tupper , a Victorian author, encouraged others to embrace moments of silence to underscore critical points, evoke emotion, and invite reflection. By harnessing the power of silence, you can communicate subtly and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Mastering the art of pauses can elevate your presentation from ordinary to extraordinary.

8.  “ Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games. ” – Babe Ruth..

Babe Ruth , a baseball legend synonymous with excellence, understood the fleeting nature of past achievements. This quote serves as a poignant reminder to strive for continual improvement. Embrace each presentation as an opportunity to challenge yourself, adapt to new circumstances, and surpass previous accomplishments. By adopting a forward-thinking mindset, you can consistently deliver presentations that resonate with your audience and inspire action.

9. “ Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. ” – Bill Gates

Bill Gates , the co-founder of Microsoft and a philanthropic visionary, recognised the transformative power of feedback. This quote underscores the importance of feedback from your audience—whether positive or negative— in providing invaluable insights into areas for improvement. Embrace constructive criticism, iterate on your presentations, and strive to exceed your audience’s expectations. By viewing feedback as a gift rather than a setback, you can evolve as a presenter and deliver truly impactful presentations.

Quotes on Presentation Skills 3

10.  “ Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. ” – Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln , one of America’s greatest presidents, recognised the power of perseverance and action. This quote emphasises the importance of proactive effort and determination in achieving success. Waiting for opportunities to come to you may result in missed chances to make an impact. Instead, embrace a mindset of hustle—actively seek out speaking engagements, refine your skills, and seize every opportunity to showcase your expertise. By taking initiative and demonstrating your commitment, you can carve out your path to success in the world of presentations.

11. “ You can’t look at the competition and say you’re going to do it better. You have to look at the competition and say you’re going to do it differently. ” – Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs , the co-founder of Apple Inc., revolutionised multiple industries with his innovative approach. This quote encapsulates Jobs’ philosophy of thinking beyond conventional boundaries and forging your path to success. It’s essential to differentiate yourself from competitors by showcasing your unique perspective, style, and expertise. Instead of striving to outdo others, deliver presentations that authentically reflect your strengths and values. 

12. “ If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. ” – Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein , the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, valued clarity and simplicity in communication. This quote reflects the importance of thorough understanding and effective communication. Complex concepts can confuse your audience. Strive to distil your message into clear, digestible points that resonate with your audience. By simplifying your content without sacrificing depth, you can ensure that your message is understood and remembered long after your presentation concludes.

13. “ When Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars, people said, ‘Nah, what’s wrong with a horse?’ That was a huge bet he made, and it worked. ” – Elon Musk

Elon Musk , the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, understands the value of disruptive innovation. This quote highlights the importance of challenging conventional wisdom and taking calculated risks. Embrace innovation, challenge the traditional ways, and inspire your audience to envision new possibilities. Daring to defy expectations can ignite meaningful conversations and drive positive change.

Quotes on Presentation Skills 4

14.  “ When you find an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue. ” – Josh James.

Josh James , the founder of Domo and a serial entrepreneur, recognises the power of passion and persistence in pursuit of ideas. This quote emphasises the importance of following your instincts. In presentations, convey your love and conviction for your subject matter—your enthusiasm will resonate with your audience and inspire engagement. By embracing ideas that excite you, you can deliver authentic, compelling, and memorable presentations.

15. “ I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ” – Thomas Edison.

Thomas Edison , the prolific inventor and businessman, embraced failure as an essential part of the creative process. This quote reflects his resilience and determination in the face of setbacks and encourages us to view each challenge as an opportunity for growth rather than a roadblock. If a particular approach doesn’t yield the desired results, iterate, learn from the experience, and adapt your strategy.

16. “ It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently. ” – Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett , one of the most successful investors of all time, understands the importance of ethical conduct and mindful decision-making. In presentations, prioritise authenticity, transparency, and credibility. Your reputation as a presenter is built on a foundation of trust and reliability. By consistently delivering high-quality presentations and upholding ethical standards, you can safeguard your reputation and earn the trust of your audience.

17. “ A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ” – David Brinkley

David Brinkley , a respected journalist and television personality, highlights the importance of turning adversity into opportunity. In presentations, welcome feedback, criticism, and challenges as building blocks for improvement. Rather than being discouraged by obstacles, use them as motivation to strengthen your skills and refine your approach. By leveraging criticism constructively, you can transform setbacks into stepping stones toward success.

Quotes on Presentation Skills 5

18. “ Speak clearly, if you speak at all. Carve every word before you let it fall. ” – Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Oliver Wendell Holmes , a renowned poet, valued precision and clarity in communication. This quote emphasises the importance of thoughtful expression and deliberate speech. By honing your communication skills and speaking purposefully, you can command attention and inspire action in your audience. Avoid ambiguity, filler words, and jargon that can obscure your meaning. 

19. “ I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen. ” – Frank Lloyd Wright.

Frank Lloyd Wright , a pioneering architect, understood the importance of perseverance and passion in pursuing your goals. In presentations, invest the time and effort necessary to deliver outstanding results. Practice relentlessly, seek feedback, and continuously refine your skills. By dedicating yourself wholeheartedly to your craft, you can achieve excellence in your presentations and make a lasting impact on your audience.

20. “ Don’t build links. Build relationships .” – Rand Fishkin.

Rand Fishkin , a prominent figure in digital marketing, emphasises the importance of fostering genuine connections over transactional interactions. When giving presentations, prioritise building rapport with your audience, colleagues, and stakeholders. Investing in relationships can create a supportive network that enhances your professional growth and enriches your presentation experiences.

By embracing the wisdom contained within these quotes, we can elevate our presentation skills and make a greater impact on our audience. So, the next time you’re preparing for a presentation, take a moment to seek out and reflect on some of these quotes. Let them inspire you to speak clearly, connect with authenticity, and take bold action to make a difference. Your audience is waiting to be inspired, and with the right mindset and skills, you can ignite their passion and drive positive change. You may just find the inspiration and guidance you need to deliver a truly memorable and impactful presentation. 

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Muskaan Oswal

Muskaan is a Content Developer and Soft Skills Trainer at Kapable, driven by a profound passion for fostering personal growth and empowerment. With a strong academic foundation in Psychology and a fascination with organisational and counselling Psychology, she brings a deep understanding of human behaviour to her role. With a genuine commitment to helping individuals unlock their full potential, Muskaan strives to make a lasting impact by nurturing essential life skills and fostering a sense of empowerment among all those she interacts with.

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Famous Quotes For an Awesome Presentation

I alone cannot change the world, but i can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples., – mother teresa, i’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel., – maya angelou, whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right., – henry ford, perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence., – vince lombardi, life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how i react to it., – charles swindoll, if you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. if you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough., – oprah winfrey, remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent., – eleanor roosevelt, i can’t change the direction of the wind, but i can adjust my sails to always reach my destination., – jimmy dean, nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘i’m possible’, – audrey hepburn, to handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart., too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears., – les brown, whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve., – napoleon hill, twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. explore, dream, discover., – mark twain, i’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. i’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times i’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. i’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. and that is why i succeed., – michael jordan, public speaking famous quotes pages.

Adam Christing

20 Great Quotes To Help You Deliver A Killer Speech

Want to make your next speech more powerful ? Use superb quotations and use them well. In this article, I will share 20 of my favorite quotations for beginning and professional speakers. And I will tell you when and how to use them.

But before we get into these specific sayings, here are a few introductory suggestions for using quotations when you are a keynote speaker , giving an inspirational message, annual report, sales presentation, after-dinner talk, Sunday sermon, teaching lesson, or any speech you are preparing.

  • Use no more than 3 to 5 quotations in your speech. Remember that a quotation is like seasoning on a fine meal. Don’t overuse quotations in your talk. That’s like dumping an entire saltshaker worth of salt on top of your meal. Think of quotes as delicious flavor additives, not the main dish.
  • Avoid using quotes that are already well known to your audience. The real (secret) power of a great quotation is its ability to surprise your listeners.
  • Take the time to find the ideal quotes for your talk. Go deeper than a google search. Read inspiring books, check out relevant articles, visit your local bookstore or library. Keep a journal and collect the sayings, proverbs, quotations, and bits of wisdom that move your heart and mind.
  • Whenever possible, cite the source of your quotation. Give credit where credit is due. And be sure your source is accurate. You will lose credibility if you quote George Washington as an expert on social media! If you cannot track down the original source of your quote, you can simply say, “It has been said…”
  • Make sure your quotations support your main message . Sometimes it’s tempting to sneak a great quip or quote into your talk because you love it. First decide if it’s apt for what you want to communicate.

Here Are 20 of the Best Quotations for Your Next Speech Use One of These Great Quotes When You Want to…

Create laughter.

Quoting a comedian, famous wit, ancient proverb, or even a child’s wisdom can generate an instant laugh during your presentation. And trust me, your audience wants to laugh! Here’s the key: Pause before and after you share the funny quotation or short joke. A humorous quotation will surprise, shock, exaggerate, and often convey a tough truth in a way that delights.

“If you’re looking for a helping hand, there’s one at the end of your arm.” ~Yiddish Proverb

Make them THINK

A powerful quotation will give your audience food for thought. First of course, you must determine what you want your audience to understand, believe, and embrace. Then, choose a quotation that packs a punch.

“He not busy being born, is busy dying.” ~Bob Dylan

Grab their ATTENTION

Usually the shorter the quotation, the more powerful the punch. Long quotes, like long speeches, will leave your audiences yawning. To open your speech, you may want to grab your listener’s attention with a short quotation or aphorism. If you are giving a talk about dream casting or goal-setting for example, here’s a fine quotation:

“If you know what you want, you can have it.” ~RH Jarrett

Prove your POINT

You don’t have to agree with every source you quote. Sometimes who you quote, is as important as what you quote. Here’s an example. Though I obviously detest this famous leader, this quotation makes a powerful point. When I am stressing the power of passion, I sometimes share this one. Note: After I give the source—which always shocks the audience—I remind them that he was evil and that we must use the power of passion for good.

“Only a storm of hot passion can turn the destinies of people. And he alone can arouse passion who bears it within himself.” ~Adolf Hitler

Illustrate an IDEA

A good quotation is like a good story. It’s a window in your house. Use it to let the light in. Help your audience see what you are saying. A good metaphor is one of the most helpful tools in a speaker’s toolbox. To get your idea across, use a strong word picture. Imagine giving a talk to a group of schoolteachers. Your goal is to affirm them for the great work they are doing. You want to remind them that what they do—educating children—matters forever.

“A school is a building with four walls, with tomorrow inside.” ~Lon Watters

INSPIRE your audience

The best speeches lift hearts! If your goal is to motivate your audience, insert a quotation designed to inspire the dreams of your audience members. Connect with their emotions. Choose a statement that is filled with hope and encouragement. Here’s one of my favorites, because it strikes such an emotional chord:

“If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme.” ~Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio

Issue a WARNING

You can use a quotation to sound an alarm. You may want to shake your hearers into stopping/starting a behavior. The key here is choosing a quotation that lights a fire under your people. What mindset do you want them to change? What do you want them to do?

“Unassertive salespeople have skinny kids!” ~Zig Ziglar

Make people CARE

Many speakers make the mistake of thinking that their talk is primarily about content. While content is important, the best speakers transfer their conviction to an audience. Your group doesn’t want more information. They are looking for takeaways and transformation.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

Capture an INSIGHT

Many times the quotes that will rock your speech are what I call “zingers.” What is a “zinger”? It’s a pithy statement that expresses a flash of insight. Zap your audience with a truth in capsule form. People love to read the fortune inside their fortune cookie—and often the words apply to their lives. When I am giving a speech that talks about how we learn, I love to share this one:

“I respect wisdom but I obey pain.” ~12 Step Recovery Saying

EDUCATE your attendees

Don’t make the mistake many speakers make. Never confuse a statistic with a quotation. Remember: facts tell, stories sell. Search out stories and quotations for your talk that provide “teaching moments.” Tip: Do an Amazon search for aphorism. You’ll discover some great gems and nuggets for your next speech. An aphorism, like a proverb, teaches a memorable lesson-in-a-few-words.

“Don’t expect your ship to come in—unless you’ve sent one out.” ~Belgian Proverb

photo of a mic at an event before introducing funny speaker

STRENGTHEN your case

Know exactly what you want to say to an audience. Then you will be in a position to find the perfect quote(s) for your next keynote speech, workshop or seminar. If you are giving a talk on leadership, select a quotation from an inspiring leader. Are you motivating athletes? Choose a motivational saying from an accomplished football, basketball, or soccer player. Most importantly, know your audience. This will help you know which quotation will best support your speech.

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” ~Anais Nin

Make your speech MATTER

A good question to ask yourself is: “Who cares about what I am saying?” By the way, this is the very question your audience is asking when you start your speech. How does this matter to me ? Reverse engineer your speech. Think about the big takeaway you want your group to get from your presentation. Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take.

“The meaning of communication is the response you get.” ~NLP maxim

Use the power of REPETITION

One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. And one of the factors that makes it so powerful? MLK’s repeated use of his awesome title: “I Have a Dream.” Consider repeating a strong quotation again and again during your talk. This can help you re-state your core message. You can also hammer home a big point with a quotation that repeats certain words to great effect. Notice how Winston Churchill did this often. (“Never, never, never give in…”), He and MLK are two of the greatest orators of the 20th century. Both leaders repeated words to maximize the impact of their language.

“We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow-worm.” ~Winston Churchill

Enhance a CELEBRATION

Maybe you will give your speech at a wedding, an anniversary party, or an awards program. You can pump up the proceedings with a special quote. Identify a sparkling statement that will raise spirits…and maybe wine glasses. Here’s the key to doing this well: Keep the focus on who/what is being celebrated. Your quotation should amplify the purpose of the event. Honor the bride, toast the award-winner, congratulate the champion. Get clear on the reason for festivities. Your quotation should put a spotlight on what your guests are celebrating together.

“Life is short, wear your party pants.” ~Loretta LaRoche

Want to make sport of a competitor? Handle a heckler? Or lampoon an idea you don’t like? A good quote can work wonders. Just be careful about coming across as mean-spirited. Humor helps.

“Lord, help me make my enemies look ridiculous.” ~Voltaire (French Philosopher)

Increase your AUTHORITY

Don’t get the wrong idea here. Quotations are not the source of your authority, you are. But a compelling quote can boost your credibility as a speaker. Select a quote that comes from a recognized name or organization that will resonate with your audience. Quote an expert. Better yet, become one.

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” ~Muhammed Ali

Speak with CONFIDENCE

Want to know a speaking secret? Your listeners aren’t paying that much attention to what you say. But they are tuned in to how you say it. They are listening for your confidence. What do you do if you don’t feel confident? Act like you are. And to take it to the next level—instill confidence in your audience too. Model it.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” ~Susan Jeffers

Bring CLARITY

One of the gifts you can bring people via your message is clarity. Help your audience see the path, cut through the clutter, and take decisive action. Make a statement, or share a quotation, that simplifies things for people. Sometimes this can be phrased as a question like, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Other times you will want to give them the answer straight up. A great quote can help you do just that. You want to communicate with great clarity. And show your audience the way forward.

“If you don’t have a plan for your life, somebody else does.” ~Michael Hyatt

Issue a call to ACTION!

You can wrap-up your speech with a mighty quotation to finish strong. Make sure that your final phrase captures the heart of your main message. Don’t end on something cliché like, “Thanks for listening” or “My name is Blah Blah.” Your end quote, if you use one, should empower your audience and echo the main thrust of your talk. And get this: You want to invite your audience to take action.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” ~Walt Disney

Create your own CATCH PHRASE

Few people remember speeches, but many people remember speakers. Can you create an original quotation that fits your personal brand? Tap into what makes you unique. What makes your message special? The final words of your speech can remind people about who you are and what you had to say. What is your signature “sign off” sentence? It might be a parting piece of advice. It could also be a statement you design to capture the way you want the group to remember the experience you created for them.

“The tribe has spoken.” ~Jeff Probst, “Survivor”

By finding and utilizing quotations that appeal to you, you will heighten the impact of your speech. Plug one or two of the above quotations into your next speech or special presentation. Better yet, discover the pitch-perfect quotes for your talk. Weave them into your speech and speak with gusto. You’ll be glad you did. And your audience will be pleased too. You can quote me on that.

Adam Christing is a professional keynote speaker, master of ceremonies , and author . He has written four humor and personal transformation books including: Comedy Comes Clean 1 & 2: A Hilarious Collection of Wholesome Jokes, Quotes, and One-liners, Your Life is a Joke: 12 Ways to Go from Ha Ha to AHA! and Bob Dylan Can Change Your Life: 61 Ways to Invent a Legendary You.  Adam has been studying and collecting quotations for more than 25 years.

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50 Inspiring Public Speaking Quotes to Help You Conquer Your Fear

public-speaking-quotes

If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that public speaking is often intimidating and nerve-wracking! Being able to confidently stand up in front of a room of people and eloquently deliver a speech – while also engaging and inspiring your audience – is no easy task. The great thing is, there is so much information out there to help you turn your fear into skillful public speaking. One such resource is the wealth of inspiring quotes related to the topic. To give you a boost of inspiration and remind you of the beauty of engaging public speaking, we’ve gathered 50 of the best public speaking quotes here. The wisdom and insight included in this collection will empower you to prepare ahead of time and conquer your fear so you can deliver that speech with confidence and grace. Enjoy!

Inspirational Quotes to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

Public speaking can be a terrifying experience for many people. But by using wise and inspiring quotes to motivate yourself, you can conquer the fear of public speaking and tap into your true potential. Here are some incredible quotes to help you get started: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill This quote reminds us that public speaking takes courage no matter which end of the spectrum you’re on. Whether you need to cross the room and give a speech or bravely sit in place and listen, courage is necessary either way. “You will have your audience eating out of your hands if you don’t just tell them facts but make it interesting with stories and humor.” – Barbara Walters This quote emphasizes the importance of making your presentation more engaging with storytelling and wit – which can help you break through any fears that come along with public speaking. “When facing fear, make yourself bigger, brighter, louder. When we do this, fear shrinks back faster than light does from a black hole.”– Sabrina Ward Harrison This quote aptly warns that if fear has a hold over us, we need to take action to combat it; use techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk or deep breathing to reduce anxiety and let our true personalities shine through.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” – Steve Jobs

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“The only limits to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.” – D.L. Moody

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln These quotes provide great inspiration while overcoming the fear of public speaking. But motivation alone isn’t enough when tackling such obstacles – next, begin setting goals and finding ways to measure success in order to truly motivate yourself with powerful thoughts.

Motivate Yourself with Powerful Thoughts

Motivating yourself with powerful thoughts is a great way to address your fear of public speaking. After all, you are never too prepared when trying to conquer those butterflies in your stomach before giving a speech. It’s important to remember that the best way to feel confident and remain composed throughout your address is by mentally preparing yourself beforehand. Think about everything that you have going for you and how far you have come: your successes, education, and other meaningful experiences you’ve had in life. Let those achievements be fuel for your inspiration as well as give you confidence in your abilities; it will help motivate you during that difficult moment when you’re on stage. Believing in yourself is one of the most important skills to maintain control over your fear instead of letting it dictate how you’ll do in front of the audience. However, caring too much about what the audience may think can negatively impact the effectiveness of your speech — so while believing in yourself is important, don’t put too much stock into getting a positive reaction from the crowd. If each word or visual aid is perfectly timed and well-organized, then naturally the audience will enjoy what they hear and see more than if it was chaotic. This leads us into our next section about memorable quotes to help you find courage before giving speeches! As these inspirational sayings can serve as an anchor during moments of doubt, they can also provide insight into managing the anxiety of public speaking and becoming an effective communicator.

Memorable Quotes to Help You Find Courage

Whether you’re preparing for a big presentation or performing a perfectly rehearsed monologue, you need courage and confidence to be effective. A few inspiring quotes will help keep your speech on track and can give you the courage to face your fear of public speaking. Consider some of these classic quotes to help find the courage and strength necessary before any engagement: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela This oft-quoted phrase from Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nelson Mandela speaks to the power we have to conquer our fears and worries despite our hesitation. An effective speaker sees beyond their fear and anticipates a rewarding outcome. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt Often misattributed as an anonymous quote, this phrase was spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first inauguration speech. Through this line, he was trying to express the idea that fear is self-inflicted, and should not be allowed to stop us from achieving success in all our endeavors. When it comes to giving impactful presentations, let go of the fear that holds you back, replace it with positive energy so your message resonates with the audience. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt This inspiring quote from Eleanor Roosevelt encourages us to push past our limits and disrupt routine-life by embracing moments of uncertainties, changes and unknowns, which all contribute for a better version of ourselves in public speaking scenarios. Step out of your comfort zone and rise above your fears starting with small wins each day – even if it’s just shaking hands with a stranger at the mall – the act alone can spark enough courage for you do face more difficult speaking engagements later on.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” – Maya Angelou

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings

“Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Take a moment to reflect on these powerful quotes when preparing for any public speaking gig, then use them as an anchor to remind yourself of why you are here when thoughts of failure arise in your mind. With enough enthusiasm and passion, inspire yourself with positive phrases in order to give an impactful performance! In the next section, learn how positive words can go a long way in boosting your morale while preparing or during your presentation.

Inspire Yourself with Positive Phrases

When facing an audience and task of delivering an important speech, it can be helpful to inspire yourself with positive phrases. Reminding ourselves that we are competent, capable, and strong can help us get over any fear or anxiety we may be feeling. Positive affirmations may also increase our confidence so we can focus on delivering our best speech. Additionally, practicing positive mantras like “I can do this” or “I am worthy of this opportunity” can help put us in the mindset for success. Positive self talk is known to be a powerful tool for reducing stress and improving motivation. However, it’s important to remember that positive thinking cannot be forced. It only works if someone truly believes what they are saying and are actively redirecting their thoughts in a more encouraging direction. So while repeating affirmative phrases can have a meaningful impact on one’s mental state, doing so without believing them can have little to no effect after the initial reaction. With the right attitude and some self-encouragement words, we can overcome all of our public speaking fears and take control of our emotions before getting up in front of an audience. Now let’s look at some inspiring quotes that can help us become successful at public speaking.

Quotes to Inspire Successful Public Speaking

No matter the size of the crowd, public speaking can be intimidating. Famous figures throughout history have been helping to empower those who take on this challenge. Quotes to inspire successful public speaking can go a long way in conquering the fear of standing up in front of an audience. Albert Einstein is often credited with saying, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” This quote instills confidence by highlighting that difficulty comes with opportunities for greatness. If you are anxious about speaking to a large group, look at it as an opportunity to show your strengths and create something special or memorable. Other inspiring quotes come from well-known figures such as Aristotle who said: “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit”. The best speakers don’t simply rely on their first speech. They treat it like any activity that requires practice and repetition in order to perfect it. Improving upon each successive performance is key to success when it comes to public speaking. For those seeking inspiration beyond famous philosophers, people like Steve Jobs offer motivation through his words: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life… Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Although Steve Job’s career path was far from normal, his work ethic and sense of purpose are inspirational for anyone lacking confidence in their own unique delivery style.

“The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” – Lilly Walters

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller . The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” – Steve Jobs

“To be a good public speaker, you must first be a good listener.” – Calvin Coolidge

“The most precious things in speech are the pauses.” – Sir Ralph Richardson

“There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” – Dale Carnegie

“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” – Dianna Booher

“The success of a presentation is 10% what you say, and 90% how you say it.” – Frank Tyger

“It’s not the size of the audience, it’s the effect you have on them.” – Robert Michalski

“Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” – Brian Tracy

“It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” – William Carlos Williams By utilizing these inspiring quotes as fuel for our fire, we can ignite the spark within us and become successful public speakers . However, mastering this skill often involves an extra layer of confidence that has its own set of challenges. In the next section, we will explore innovative ways to develop confidence for your audience.

Develop Confidence for Your Audience

Having confidence when you step in front of the room is essential to success in public speaking. Developing your confidence requires focusing on how your audience perceives you, building strong habits that lead to success, and believing in yourself. Knowing how your audience will receive you is key to feeling confident about standing in front of them. It can help to practice hard beforehand by rehearsing both with friends or colleagues, as well as practicing in public speaking clubs , or even alone in front of a mirror. You’ll want to focus on not just what you’re saying but also the way that you say it, by speaking with conviction , good pacing, and careful word choice. Know your strengths and weaknesses , and once you do make a point of emphasizing those strengths while downplaying the weaknesses. Preparing for success also means creating good habits that will help you stay on track while giving your talk. Having a healthy mental state is important, so leading up to the talk keep healthy eating habits and exercise regularly to stay strong and focused during your presentation. It also helps to come into each talk having already learned something new about the topic , which can help give some extra pep in taking the stage when needed. Building these habits helps reduce stress levels ahead of time and can give an individual that much more assurance in their abilities and that the task at hand can be done. Above all else, believe in yourself and remember why you decided to give this speech or presentation in the first place – because you have something important to share with your audience. Remind yourself of all of the hard work you put into preparing for this moment and all of the positive feedback that others gave you along the way; it’s often enough to bring back strong confidence for your performance. Equipping yourself with these tools ahead of time will be paramount in helping develop and maintain confidence during your talk. As mentioned before, exerting this level of confidence is essential for a successful presentation; now let’s explore quotes to help further prepare individuals so they are able give a captivating performance — let’s start with looking at what these inspiring quotes can tell us about preparing for our talk.

Quotes to Help You Prepare for Your Talk

Doing the preparation is half of the battle when it comes to public speaking. Having a plan and an idea of what you are going to say gives your speech structure , one that your audience will appreciate. Preparation should also be extended to anticipating questions and creating responses for them accordingly. This can help ensure that you look prepared and authoritative. To emphasize the importance of preparation, here are some inspiring quotes on it: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur This quote by science pioneer Louis Pasteur underlines the importance of being prepared mentally before delivering a talk or presentation. Being informed, informed and informed beforehand can give you a huge psychological edge, assuring you of a successful performance. “The first step in preparing an effective speech is research.” – Dale Carnegie Dale Carnegie’s famous quote reminds us that even if we feel we know enough about our topic, it does not hurt to do additional research so we can fully equip ourselves with knowledge about it before engaging our audience . Research can also act as inspiration for new ideas and insights. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin This proverb from Benjamin Franklin further stresses the need for proper planning before any presentation or talk. Having a well conceived framework and understanding exactly how our points will be delivered can be key when standing in front of a large group of people.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” – Lewis Carroll

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” – Stephen Keague

“Know your material, know your audience, and know your purpose.” – George H. W. Bush

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.” – Confucius

“The time to prepare for a speech is twenty years.” – Mark Twain

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden

These quotes serve as reminders of just how important preparation is before any presentation or speech. This is also supported by many experts who acknowledge the value of practising and rehearsing before taking the stage or stand. With this said, let us now proceed to discuss impactful quotes which inspire growth in public speaking prowess.

Impactful Quotes that can Positively Affect Your Development

When it comes to public speaking, inspiring quotes can help to provide a mental pick-me-up and motivate our innermost selves. In addition to the initial adrenaline boost, many powerful quotes can have positive long-term effects on our development. They give us something tangible to hold onto and reflect back upon during moments of anxiety or when we’re defeated by external forces like stage fright or a challenging audience. For instance, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous quote “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm” speaks to the importance of resilience and drives home the idea that success isn’t necessarily predetermined; it takes hard work, dedication, and an unflappable spirit through darkness and defeat.

Similarly, Rick Hansen’s quote “There is nothing you can’t do, if you set your mind to it. Anything is possible.” directs our thoughts towards strength and being recognized as capable of achieving anything with mindful effort. On the other hand, some believe that impactful quotes are useful but emphasize more natural talent and less hard work. This mindset implies that if we just think positively and keep in motivating words top of mind, then any challenge we encounter will be much easier to conquer. While it’s true that positive thinking and self-belief are essential for motivation, this approach leaves out much of the reality – which is that personal growth is a process that requires dedication, bravery, and an acceptance of one’s weaknesses as valuable lessons for future improvement. It’s important to remember that impactful quotes should be used in conjunction with studying techniques for calming nerves , boosting confidence, and improving performance – not taken as a substitute for honing public speaking talents over time. Quotes inspire us to look more deeply into ourselves in order to better understand how we can utilize our experiences in order to become better communicators. With this in mind, let us now conclude this article by reviewing its main points and offering final thoughts on its main topic: public speaking quotes as tools for conquering fear. Conclusion & Final Thoughts: Now that we have explored how impactful public speaking quotes can be positive building blocks for personal growth and development, let’s turn our focus towards drawing our conclusion and discussing any final thoughts on the use of public speaking quotes.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Public speaking can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Despite the fear that many experience before speaking in front of an audience, stepping up with confidence and delivering a meaningful message can have lasting positive effects. As these 50 inspiring quotes demonstrate, public speaking is not something to be afraid of but instead something to relish as an opportunity to reach out and make a positive impact on those around you. When it comes down to it, conquering your fear of public speaking does take time and practice. It may help to write about your experiences and build on the skills that you already possess. If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, remember that no one expects perfection – try to take it slow and focus on providing value to the audience. With dedication and patience, you’ll be able to control your fear and become an inspiring public speaker. One thing is certain – although public speaking may feel intimidating at first, it can bring many rewards once you gain the confidence to do it well. Whether you’re an experienced presenter or new to the field, remember these 50 inspiring quotes as reminders that anyone can become a great public speaker with the right attitude and dedication.

Commonly Asked Questions

How can i use quotes to motivate myself when preparing for a public speaking engagement.

Quotes can be a great way to motivate yourself when preparing for a public speaking engagement. Not only do they provide you with words of encouragement and inspiration, but they can also act as mental reminders that you have the ability to succeed. Quotes can help to spark your creativity, fuel your energy, and give you a renewed sense of confidence. Additionally, quotes can be used as an effective tool to overcome any fears or doubts so that you can deliver an amazing speech. Reading relevant quotes that speak to the power of words and communication can help prepare you mentally for your public speaking engagement. They are like mantras that offer motivation and reassurance throughout the preparation process. Last but not least, quotes can spark ideas when brainstorming topics or content to share in your speech.

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Public speaking quotes: funny, inspiring insights for your presentation.

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June 2, 2014

by Andy Saks

Over many years as a professional presenter and speaker, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of funny, inspiring, insightful public speaking quotes.

These quotes are near and dear to my heart. They’ve helped me immensely, and helped me help others.

Some date back to biblical times. Others are hot off the Twitter press.

Sometimes I show them in a looping slideshow to warm up an audience before a keynote speech or presentation skills training program.

Other times I peek at them when I need some inspiration myself.

And here they are, for the first time, categorized and alphabetized for your presentation pleasure.

Which quotes make you laugh? Which inspire you? Which rub you the wrong way? Which of your favorites should I add? Which did you use in your presentation? Tell me by sharing your comment at the bottom of the page.

QUOTES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY / FEAR

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy.” – Jerry Seinfeld

“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears, of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before the Rotary Club, or the words ‘some assembly required.’” – Dave Barry

“…and from the first moment that I ever walked on stage in front of a darkened auditorium with a couple of hundred people sitting there, I was never afraid, I was never fearful, I didn’t suffer from stage fright, because I felt so safe on that stage. I wasn’t Patrick Stewart, I wasn’t in the environment that frightened me, I was pretending to be someone else, and I liked the other people I pretended to be. So I felt nothing but security for being on stage. And I think that’s what drew me to this strange job of playing make-believe.” — Patrick Stewart

“Feel the fear of public speaking and do it anyway.” – Arvee Robinson

“I was dreading winning. I didn’t even prepare an acceptance speech. I was worried that I would slip up or do something horrible. I was shaking in my seat, putting on a posed smile. Inside I was petrified.” – Leonardo DiCaprio (at the 1998 Academy Awards)

“It’s all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.” – Rob Gilbert

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel

“There are two types of speakers: Those who get nervous and those who are liars.” – Mark Twain

QUOTES ON ASKING QUESTIONS & LISTENING

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, and to sit down and listen.”  – Winston Churchill

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” – Jimi Hendrix

“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” – fortune cookie Andy got (really!)

“Nothing calms a person faster than hearing his own ideas repeated back.” – Sandra DeLozier

“One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears, by listening to them.” – Dean Rusk

“Open your ears before you open your mouth; it may surprise your eyes!” – Earl Nightingale

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

“The finest art of communication is not learning how to express your thoughts. It is learning how to draw out the thoughts of another.” – Ted Tripp

“Two monologues do not make a dialogue.” – Jeff Daly

“You can tell if a man is clever by his answers. You can tell if a man is wise by his questions.” – unknown

QUOTES ON HAVING A GREAT ATTITUDE

“Our attitude towards others determines their attitude towards us.” -Earl Nightingale

“Say what you mean, mean what you say, just don’t say it mean.” – Nguyen Van Tho

“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” – Laurence Peter

“The words you speak today should be soft and tender, for tomorrow you may have to eat them.” – unknown

“Think lovingly, speak lovingly, act lovingly, and every need shall be supplied.” – James Allen

“You have to smile, if you expect anybody to smile back.” – Jonathan Evison

QUOTES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR AUDIENCE

“Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it: To Whom It May Concern.” – Ken Haemer

“In the preaching moment, there is a liminal moment in which is dawns on you standing there that yes, there is something more going on here that I did not anticipate…You feed of the congregation, because black preaching is so dialogical. The affirmation in that dialogue is the place where you locate revelation.” – Dale Andrews (professor, Boston University, and occasional preacher)

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” – @mediatraining

“The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say ‘Me too!’ versus ‘So what?'” – Jim Rohn

“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.” – Dale Carnegie

“To communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world, and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins

“To sway an audience, you must watch them as you speak.” – C. Kent Wright

“When are you going to understand that if it doesn’t pertain to me, I’m not interested?” – Candace Bergen as Murphy Brown

QUOTES ON CLARITY, SIMPLICITY AND WORD CHOICE IN SPEAKING

“Eloquence is the essential thing in a speech, not information.” – Mark Twain

“I understand a fury in your words, but not your words.” – William Shakespeare, Othello

“If we use common words on a great occasion, they are the more striking because they are felt at once to have a particular meaning, like old banners, or everyday clothes, hung up in a sacred place.” – George Eliot

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein

“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” – Dianna Booher

“If you can’t state your position in eight words, you don’t have a position. “ – Seth Godin

“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” – Jack Kerouac

“Precision of communication is important, more important than ever, in our era of hair-trigger balances, when a false or misunderstood word may create as much disaster as a sudden thoughtless act.” – James Thurber

“Speak clearly, if you speak at all. Carve every word before you let it fall.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hoffman

“The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter–’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” — Mark Twain

“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real and one’s declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like cuttlefish squirting out ink.” – George Orwell

“The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.” – Neville Brody

“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” – William Butler Yeats

“Those who run to long words are mainly the unskillful and tasteless; they confuse pomposity with dignity, flaccidity with ease, and bulk with force.” – H.W. Fowler

QUOTES DEFINING PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PRESENTATIONS

“A presentation is a chance to share, not an oral exam.” – M.F. Fensholt

“All speaking is public speaking, whether it’s to one person or a thousand.” – Roger Love

“Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.” – Jonathan Swift

“Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Through the picture, I see reality. Through the word, I understand it.” – Sven Lidman

“To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.” – Ben Jonson

“Words do two major things: they provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.” – Jim Rohn

“Words. Words, when spoken out loud for the sake of performance, are music. They have rhythm, and pitch, and timbre, and volume. These are the properties of music, and music has the ability to find us and move us and lift us up in ways that literal meaning can’t.” – Martin Sheen as President Bartlet, The West Wing

FUNNY QUOTES ON PUBLIC SPEAKING & PRESENTATIONS

“Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. It’s the only way you can be sure somebody’s listening.” – F.P. Jones

“Every speaker has a mouth, an arrangement rather neat. Sometimes it’s filled with wisdom, sometimes it’s filled with feet.” – Robert Orben

“Light travels faster than sound. That’s why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.” – Albert Einstein

“Look your audience straight in the eyes, and begin to talk as if every one of them owed you money.” – Dale Carnegie

“My job is to talk; your job is to listen. If you finish first, please let me know.”  – Harry Herschfield

“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” – Mark Twain

“Public speaking is very easy.” – Dan Quayle

“Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.” – Slovenian proverb

“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it’s taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

QUOTES ON HONESTY IN SPEAKING

“Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” – Mark Twain

“I didn’t lie. I was writing fiction in my mouth.” – Homer Simpson

“Speech is a mirror of the soul. As a man speaks, so is he.” – Publilius Syrus

“Teach the tongue to say ‘I do not know.’” – Maimonides

“When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

QUOTES ON HUMOR IN PRESENTATIONS & PUBLIC SPEAKING

“Humor is a rubber sword – it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.” – Mary Hirsch

“Humor is treacherous. It can charm, coax, and persuade, but it can also distract, baffle or alienate the audience.” – Eugene Finerman

“I learned at an early age that when I made people laugh, they liked me. This is a lesson I never forgot.” – Art Buchwald

“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.” – Oscar Wilde

“Once you get people laughing, they’re listening and you can tell them almost anything.” – Herbert Gardner

“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” -Mark Twain

QUOTES ON THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING

“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.” – Charles Dickens

“Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half of people who have nothing to say and keep saying it.” – Robert Frost

“I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

“If all my talents were to be taken from me by some inscrutable providence, and I had to make a choice of keeping but one, I would unhesitatingly ask to keep the power of speaking, because through it, I would quickly recover all the rest.” – Daniel Webster

“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” – Edward R. Murrow

“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Solomon

“The tongue is like a sharp knife. It kills without drawing blood.” – Buddha

“When nobody speaks your name, or even knows it, you, knowing it, must be the first to speak it.” – Marlon Riggs

“Improve your communication skills and you will earn fifty percent more money over your lifetime…In my office you’ll not see the degree I got from the University of Nebraska. You’ll not see the master’s degree I got from Columbia. But you’ll see the award certificate I got from the [public] speaking course.” – Warren Buffett

INSPIRING PUBLIC SPEAKING QUOTES

“Between your brain and your mouth (or your fingers) is magic: your power to choose what you say next. Use that magic.” – Chris Brogan

“Oratory should raise your heart rate. Oratory should blow the doors off the place.” – Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, The West Wing

“The difference between a good speech and a great speech is the energy with which the audience comes to their feet at the end. Is it polite? Is it a chore? Are they standing up because their boss just stood up? No. You want it to come from their socks.” – Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, The West Wing

“The world is made up of words. And if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish.” – Terence McKenna

“The world is waiting for your words.” – Arvee Robinson

“Your words can make you rich” – Dr. Donald Moine

QUOTES ON OPENING LINES IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

“He who fails to please in his salutation and address is at once rejected, and never obtains an opportunity of showing his latest excellences or essential qualities.” – Samuel Johnson

“You had me at ‘Hello.’” – Renee Zellweger as Dorothy Boyd in Jerry Maguire

QUOTES ON PASSION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING & PRESENTATIONS

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” – Jim Rohn 

“I don’t like to hear cut-and-dried sermons. When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees!” – Abraham Lincoln

“It doesn’t matter how elegant the argument or inspiring the prose, a presentation won’t move anyone if the presenter isn’t visibly feeling what they are saying.” – John Neffinger, KNP Communications

“Technique alone is never enough. You have to have passion. Technique alone is just an embroidered pot holder.” – Raymond Chandler

“The best speeches come from the heart and reflect your passion. Speak as if your life depended on it.” – Arvee Robinson

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Carol Buchner

“When genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” – D.H. Lawrence

“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” – John Ford

“You cannot speak that which you do not know. You cannot share that which you do not feel.” – Jim Rohn

QUOTES ON POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

“A designer knows he or she has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Nolan Haims

“If God is in the details, then the Devil is in PowerPoint.” – @AngryPaulRand

“The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it. And more importantly, they will remember you.” – Paul Arden

QUOTES ON PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

“All Abe Lincoln needed was a pencil and paper to make his speech at Gettysburg.” – @TipsForSpeakers

“All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Communication works for those who work at it.” – John Powell

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln

“If you wing it when speaking, you’ll get wing it results.” – Arvee Robinson

“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain

“Let he who would be moved to convince others be first moved to convince himself.” – T. Carlyle

“Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills, so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” – Jim Rohn

QUOTES ON SALES PRESENTATIONS

“Good listeners generally make more sales than good talkers.” – B.C. Holwick

“He that has no silver in his purse should have silver on his tongue.” – Thomas Fuller

“If you can’t say it, you can’t sell it!” – Arvee Robinson

“Samson killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. That many sales are killed every day with exactly the same weapon.” – unknown

“The single most important tool in selling is being able to communicate effectively.” – Dan Brent Burt

QUOTES ON SILENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

“It’s the space you put between the notes that make the music.” – Massimo Vignelli

“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” – Dionysius of Halicarnassus

“Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.” – cowboy saying

“Speak only if you can improve upon silence.” – unknown

“Talking is like playing the harp; there is as much in laying the hand on the strings to stop their vibrations as in twanging them to bring out their music.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

“The most precious things in speech are pauses.” – Ralph Richardson

“Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln

QUOTES ON SMILING IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

“So much is said with the electricity of the eyes, the intensity of a whisper. Less is more.” – Elizabeth Taylor

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the  smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

“Your smile is a messenger of your goodwill.” – Dale Carnegie

QUOTES ON SPEED AND BREVITY IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

“A fool uttereth all his mind.” – Proverbs 29:11

“A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.” – William Strunk, Jr.

“A speech is like a love affair. Any fool can start one, but it requires considerable skill to end it.” – unknown

“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” – Franklin Roosevelt

“Blessed is the man who, having nothing [more] to say, refrains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.” – George Eliot

“For effective communication, use brevity. Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ Now that’s brief!” – Jim Rohn

“He who talks more is sooner exhausted.” – Lao Tzu

“If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought.” – Dennis Roth

“If you want me to speak for an hour, I am ready today. If you want me to speak for just a few minutes, it will take me a few weeks to prepare.” – Mark Twain

“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what other men say in whole books.” – Nietzsche

“It is with words as with sunbeams. The more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.” – Robert Southey

“It’s better to say nothing than spend 1,000 words or an hour speech saying nothing. Get to the point.” – Richard Branson

“It’s quite simple: say what you have to say and when you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending, sit down.” – Winston Churchill

“Make sure you have stopped speaking before your audience has stopped listening.” – Dorothy Sarnoff

“Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.” – Martin Lomasney

“Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.” – Evan Esar

“The best speech has a good beginning and a good ending – and has them close together.” – unknown

“The best way to make a good speech is to have a good beginning and a good ending – and have them close together.” – unknown

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” – Thomas Jefferson

“The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.” – Voltaire

“Think all you speak, but speak not all you think. Thoughts are your own; your words are so no more.” – Patrick Delany

“To make a speech immortal, you don’t have to make it everlasting.” – unknown

“What is powerful is when what you say is just the tip of the iceberg of what you know.” – Jim Rohn

QUOTES ON STORYTELLING IN PRESENTATIONS

“Every story has its time to be told.” – Sekou Sundiata

“Stories open the hearts of your listeners, and then their wallets.” – Arvee Robinson

QUOTES ON WORDS VERSUS ACTIONS

“Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.” – Baltasa

“One deed is worth a thousand speeches.” – American proverb

“People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.” – unknown

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

“Words may show a man’s wit, but actions, his meaning. “ – Benjamin Franklin

ABOUT SPARK PRESENTATIONS

Andy Saks, Spark Presentations

Spark owner and speaking quote compiler Andy Saks

Spark Presentations is a private company founded in 1998 that provides presentation skills training and speech coaching for executives, salespeople, marketers and other businesspeople, plus booth staff training for trade show exhibitors.

Spark also books professional presenters and public speakers to represent its clients at high-profile events, in roles like keynote speaker, trade show booth presenter, master of ceremonies (emcee) and auctioneer, as well as on camera talent and voice talent.

Spark’s client list includes large corporations like AT&T, Best Buy, Covidien, FedEx, Hyundai, Intel, Kimberly-Clark, Owens-Corning, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Volvo; high-tech industry players like AMD, Atrion, Citrix, Gigamon, and Symantec; service organizations like Vistage, 1nService and NERCOMP; and New England institutions like Community Rowing and the Boston Jewish Film Festival.

Spark’s owner, Andy Saks, is also the author of The Presentation Playbook Series: Be a Most Valuable Presenter (MVP) , a three-volume series of books that help businesspeople master common presentation situations by building and running speaking “plays” like a coach or player calls a key play in a game. Volume 1 is available now in print and PDF formats on Spark’s website and at these online retailers and formats:  Amazon print , Amazon Kindle , Apple iBooks and Barnes & Noble print and Nook .

For questions, quotes or orders, contact Andy Saks at 781-454-7600, email or Spark’s Contact page .

Posted in: Sparky Says: Presentation & Public Speaking Tips | 1 Comment

Tags: public speaking tips

One comment

by Melissa Johnson | August 2, 2017 at 9:45 am

Good stuff!

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best quotes on presentations

PresentationLoad

PowerPoint Quotes: Effectively Harnessing Quotes in Presentations to Make an Impact with Words

Have you ever wondered why all great speakers use quotes? Quotes are versatile. They add a touch of flair to speeches, enhance the credibility of the message, stimulate the mind, establish a connection with the audience, and much more. Incorporate PowerPoint quotes into your presentations as well!

When placed strategically and thoughtfully, quotes can be invaluable for your presentation. Today, we will show you why and how to skillfully integrate the technique of “PowerPoint Quotes” into your PowerPoint presentation.

With motivation comes success

All you need is a goal, a quote, and a love for your presentation topic. It’s not just about delivering a presentation and feeling relieved when it’s over. Anyone can do that. Y ou want to leave something with your audience – not just a positive impression, but to convince, inspire, fascinate, and above all, motivate.

Whether it’s prompting your audience to purchase your product, book a service, or increase attendance for your seminars and exhibitions, words have incredible power . Once you are aware of this, you have already taken the first step towards delivering a compelling presentation.

Finding the right words

Quotes have the allure of being special. They make us admire others for their wise words, provoke thought, motivate us, become company philosophies for startups and businesses, or simply make us smile. Harness this impact for your presentation and emphasize important ideas with impactful words.

The art of PowerPoint quotes and the benefits of using them

PowerPoint Quote Templates

You can leverage the following advantages when using a PowerPoint quote:

  • Reinforce your statements: Quotes serve as a second voice in your presentation, validating your theses and ideas. A quote can be impactful either because the author carries a certain authority or because the quote itself is highly meaningful. A seemingly simple statement from a person with an authoritative character sheds new light on the matter.
  • Enhance your credibility: Be the expert in your field and demonstrate that you are always up-to-date through thorough research. Quoting other experts and acknowledging their work shows that you are extensively prepared and knowledgeable about your research field.
  •  Establish a personal connection with the audience: Quotes, with their unique effect, bridge the gap between the audience and the speaker, putting them on the same level.
  • Stimulate the minds of the listeners: Inspirational quotes can generate new ideas to solve problems or reinvigorate old projects. Consider incorporating quotes into your brainstorming sessions as well.
  • Inspiration: Regardless of what you are presenting, your goal should always be to inspire your audience and spark interest in new ideas, plans, or products. And what better way to achieve that than by emphasizing your statements with a memorable quote? It’s the perfect finishing touch to your presentation. • Add variety to your slides and speech: It’s no secret that long, complex, information-heavy presentations can be tiring. Therefore, incorporate quotes to wake up your listeners before it becomes too dry!
  • Summarize: Certain quotes can serve as a summary of your theses and thoughts on a topic. Use a quote to bring your statements back to a central idea and reinforce what you have said
  • Structure: Separate chapters, for example, the beginning or end of a topic
  • Leave a lasting impression: Quotations help people remember your presentation because they are often precise and presented in a memorable format. (After all, that was the reason you chose to use quotes, right?)

A good quote clarifies and elaborates on an idea or thought and provides inspiration. Quotes motivate the audience to join you because the power of ideas, when elegantly and memorably expressed, can have a significant impact on listeners.

For example, Leo Widrich, co-founder of Buffer, began promoting his products by telling stories, which led to a significant increase in sales. Scientific research also confirms that stories, poems, and quotes have a unique effect on the audience . You can read more about this in the next paragraph.

Why PowerPoint quotes help you and how the brain processes them

To understand why quotes are beneficial, it helps to examine the audience’s reaction more closely. PowerPoint presentations that contain numerous and complex pieces of information activate two parts of the brain: the Broca’s area and the Wernicke’s region. These parts of the brain process language and decode the meaning of words. Therefore, in such an informative presentation, the brain undergoes a pure decoding process.

However, when we hear stories, our brains react differently and in a much more extensive manner. When this happens, not only do the language regions of our brains become active, but also the parts we use when we experience events ourselves . Leo Widrich explains that “when someone tells us about the delicious taste of certain foods, our sensory cortex is activated. When it comes to movement, our motor cortex is activated. So, a story can activate the entire brain.”

The scent of fresh coffee in the morning or the softness of the sheets on our bed are stored in our brains. Therefore, when someone tells a story, our brains want to link the information with similar experiences that are already stored there. In this process, the part of the brain called the insular cortex is activated. It helps us relate what is being told to things we have already experienced in the past, such as feelings of joy, pain, or success.

As our brains automatically make connections with stored experiences, stories, metaphors, images, and quotes can have a particularly significant effect. By using them, the brain becomes actively involved in the presentation. So, if you incorporate a memorable quote along with a relevant image into a presentation, your audience will automatically establish a connection with what is being said that goes beyond mere information absorption.

Read our article on storytelling here .

Which quotes are suitable as PowerPoint quotes

PowerPoint Quote Templates

Sometimes you come across a sentence in a book that you really like, or you are inspired by quotes from famous individuals such as athletes, politicians, artists, or philosophers – it doesn’t matter where you find them, what matters is that you find thematically relevant words.

Always remember to entertain your audience to some extent. However, don’t overdo it, as t he right quote chosen at the right time can be invaluable. O ne or at most two quotes in the presentation are sufficient. Too much of a good thing always has a detrimental effect. Use quotes sparingly. Therefore, do not make a mistake and take enough time to research the quote beforehand. A carefully chosen, good quote is better than ten randomly selected PowerPoint quotes.

When is the right time for powerpoint quotes?

When to use PowerPoint quotes d epends on the context and flow of your presentation . Here are a few suggestions:

  • Starting your presentation with a quote can have a powerful impact and help capture your audience’s attention right from the beginning (we all know how important the opening of a speech is). However, be cautious about the type of quotes you use and ensure they are relevant and impactful. Beginning your presentation with a PowerPoint quote is a classic approach. Ideally, choose a quote that introduces your topic and resonates with you as a speaker, making an immediate connection with your audience.

For example, you can start with the quote:

“Words may inspire, but actions create change.” Simon Sinek
  • Incorporating quotes in the middle part of your presentation can be particularly useful as they can reinforce and support your arguments. Introduce quotes after discussing specific sections or topics to provide closure. Including a quote in the middle adds variety and makes your presentation more digestible.
“Don’t worry about failures, you only have to be right once.” Drew Houston
  • Take a break and let your audience read the quote themselves. Use quotes strategically to your advantage, especially if they are visually presented with images or other elements. As you shouldn’t be reading directly from your slides, this gives you a moment to pause and breathe before continuing.
“Taking a break is the most underestimated productivity factor” K. Wolf

Remember to be creative and have fun while presenting your quote. However, ensure that PowerPoint quotes align with your topic . Randomly selected quotes can disrupt the flow of your presentation and confuse your audience. Spark interest and bring humor to your presentation, but always keep your main topic in mind.

Note: When to avoid PowerPoint quotes

Avoid ending your presentation with a quote . Trust your own words to provide a strong conclusion. Ending with someone else’s words can convey a sense of uncertainty and lack of confidence. While it is possible to incorporate a quote near the end of your presentation, especially if it summarizes the content or ties back to the beginning, always make sure that the final words are your own. Remember, you want to leave a lasting impression with the conclusion of your presentation.

What else you need to consider when using PowerPoint quotes

A quote represents the intellectual property of another person, and just like with images, it is essential to give credit to the author. Include the source immediately after the quote. For example:

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Mark Twain

Extra tip: Quote slides from PresentationLoad

Feel free to use our professionally designed quote slides for your presentation. We offer a wide selection of quotes from various (business) areas that can help you make a convincing impact. Take a look around ► To the shop

Business Quotes klein

Conclusion: Use PowerPoint quotes in moderation for maximum success

Embrace the many benefits they bring to your presentations, but be mindful not to overload your slides with quotes. Take the time to carefully select and incorporate quotes into your preparation. With a fitting, impactful, and well-placed quote, you’re sure to impress your audience!

If you need help finding a PowerPoint quote or have any other PowerPoint-related questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected] . We’re here to assist you!

You are looking for professionally designed slide templates ? Then check out our shop. We have numerous slides ready for download on a wide range of (business) topics. Visit our shop today! ► Go to the shop

You may also find these articles interesting:

  • Closing a Presentation: 20 Ideas for a Successful Conclusion
  • Presentation Opening: 16 Ideas for a Strong Start
  • Storytelling in Presentations

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Using Quotes to Influence Your Audience During a Presentation

April 26, 2023 / Blog

A businesswoman stands pointing at a pitch deck shown on a screen, speaking to two seated colleagues during a meeting in a modern office. The presentation appears to include charts and text, and the room is well-lit with natural light from large windows.

Quotes convey wisdom, inspiration, and credibility in just a few words. They can set the tone, evoke emotions , and reinforce your message.

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In this blog, we will explore using quotes to influence your audience during a presentation.

The Power of Quotes

Quotes can captivate and influence your audience in various ways. They can elevate your presentation to a whole new level when used strategically.

Here are some key ways in which quotes hold immense power:

Setting the Tone

Quotes can help you set the right tone for your presentation. For instance, an inspirational quote can create a positive and uplifting atmosphere, while a humorous quote can add levity and create a relaxed environment.

The tone you set at the beginning of your presentation can greatly impact your audience’s receptiveness to your message, and quotes can be a powerful tool in achieving that.

Eliciting Emotions

Quotes can evoke emotions in your audience, making your presentation more memorable and impactful.

Whether through a touching story, a heartfelt testimonial, or a powerful statement, quotes can tug at the heartstrings of your audience, helping them connect with your message on a deeper level. Emotionally charged quotes can make your presentation more relatable, engaging, and compelling.

Adding Credibility

Quotes from influential figures or reputable sources can add credibility and authority to your presentation.

By referencing experts, industry leaders, or renowned individuals, you can strengthen your arguments and lend more weight to your message. Quotes can act as evidence or proof to support your claims, making your presentation more convincing.

Concise Communication

Quotes are often concise and impactful, conveying a powerful message in just a few words.

Attention spans are becoming shorter and quotes are effective tools to communicate key ideas succinctly. They can help you convey complex concepts or ideas in a memorable and easily digestible manner, keeping your audience engaged and attentive.

Memorable Impact

A well-chosen quote can leave a lasting impact on your audience.

When you use a quote that resonates with your audience, it becomes memorable, and your audience is more likely to remember and recall your message long after the presentation. Quotes can help you make a lasting impression and ensure a memorable and impactful presentation.

best quotes on presentations

Best Practices for Using Quotes in Your Presentation

While quotes can be a powerful tool in your presentation, it’s important to use them effectively and appropriately.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when incorporating quotes into your presentation:

Know Your Audience

Consider your audience’s demographics, preferences, and context when selecting quotes. Choose relevant quotes that resonate with your specific audience. Avoid ones that may be offensive, controversial, or irrelevant to your audience, as they may detract from your message.

Use Reliable Sources

Ensure that the quotes you use are from reputable and reliable sources. Moreover, attribute the quote to the original author or speaker, and provide proper citations if needed. Avoid using quotes from anonymous or unknown sources, as they may lack credibility.

Keep it Concise

Choose quotes that are concise and impactful. Avoid lengthy ones that may dilute your message or lose your audience’s attention. Instead, opt for ones that can be easily understood and remembered, and that align with the overall flow of your presentation.

Contextualize the Quote

Provide context when using a quote to help your audience understand its relevance to your presentation. Explain how the quote supports your message or relates to the topic. Avoid using quotes out of context, as they may confuse or mislead your audience.

best quotes on presentations

Practice Delivery

Practice delivering your quotes with proper tone, emphasis, and timing. Use appropriate gestures, facial expressions, and vocal inflections to enhance the impact of the quotes. Avoid rushing through them or reading them monotonously, as they may lose their intended effect.

Use Variety

Incorporate a variety of quotes in your presentation, including inspirational, motivational, humorous, and thought-provoking quotes. Mix up the type of quotes you use to keep your audience engaged and add depth and diversity to your presentation.

Be Authentic

Choose quotes that resonate with your style and voice. Avoid using ones that feel forced or insincere, as they may come across as inauthentic. Rather, use ones that genuinely reflect your beliefs and values to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Practice Proper Attribution

Always give credit to the original author or speaker of the quote. Avoid taking credit for someone else’s words or ideas. Use proper attribution methods, including the author’s name, title, and source, to acknowledge and honor their work.

Using quotes strategically and effectively in your presentations can be a game-changer. By following best practices and incorporating powerful quotes into your presentation, you can connect with your audience more and leave a lasting impact that influences and inspires.

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How to Design a Great Quotes Presentation Slide in PowerPoint for 2024

Brenda Barron

Planning to use presentation quotes? Use quotes in your PowerPoint presentation to motivate your audience. 

PowerPoint Quote Template

It can get them to see the topic in a completely new light. A quote slide is also an interesting way to introduce your topic. It can start your presentation in an engaging way.

But how do you design a great quote presentation slide? We’ll answer that question in this article. We'll also share the benefits of using quote slides. You'll also find tips for customizing a quote for a PowerPoint template .

Jump to content in this section:

Benefits of Using Quote Slides

Creative ideas for displaying quotes in powerpoint slides, how to customize a quote slide design in powerpoint, 5 great quotes presentation templates, the best source for powerpoint templates (with unlimited use), learn more about microsoft powerpoint, easily find powerpoint templates, design a great quotes slide for your powerpoint presentation.

As mentioned earlier, quote slides can be used to motivate your audience. They can introduce the topic you’re going to cover too. But there are a few other benefits to using quote slides in your PowerPoint presentation:

  • A great quote adds credibility . Add a quote by an industry expert to back up the main points of your presentation. 
  • An interesting quote can help you create a more engaging presentation . It can spark conversation or makes the audience ask questions. A quote is a great way to shake things up and make your presentation memorable.
  • Great quotes serve as a source of inspiration . What if your topic doesn't rely on data, charts, and information? Maybe it is meant to inform or encourage a change. An inspiring quote could be just what you need to get people to take action.

With a little bit of creativity, you can display quotes in PowerPoint slides in many different ways:

1. Use a Full Color Background

One of the easiest ways to display a quote in your presentation is to use a full color background. All you've got to do is change the background color of the slide. Then add text that uses a contrasting color.

For example, the this template has a solid white text slide. Change the color of the background and the text. It's an easy way to create a visually appealing PowerPoint quote slide. 

Newt PowerPoint template

2. Play With the Watercolor Effect

Here's another way to make your quote slide look visually appealing. Try adding a watercolor background behind the text. Take cues from this watercolor template on Envato Elements . Easily replace one of the statistic boxes with a quote of your own. Then, adjust the size of the watercolor background behind it. 

Watercolor template on Envato Elements

3. Use a Photo With a Color Overlay

A solid color background will do the trick and make your PowerPoint quote stand out. But why not take it a step further? 

Simply add a photo as the background for the slide. Then add a shape on top of the photo. Play with the opacity to get the image to show through. The last step is to add your quote and ensure it’s easy to read.

This PowerPoint template already has a slide with all the elements in place. So, all you’d need to do is add your own quote. 

Elegant Girl PowerPoint template

4. Sometimes Less is More

Check out these examples of presentation quotes. Don't they look dramatic?

Sometimes, less really is more. These quotes are on a high contrast background. They don't need any bells or whistles to get their message across. 

social media presentation

This design approach can be a particularly good idea with serious subject matter. Think about the tone that you want to convey.

If the quotes on the presentation are meant to be lighthearted, go colorful. If it's meant to have a more somber tone, keep it clean and simple.

5. Add a Shape to Create a Quote Box

This trick makes use of a couple of ideas shared earlier and combines them into one.

Add a photo as the background for the slide and then add a shape like before along with your quote. But this time leave the edges of the photo visible to create an interesting border around your quote box. 

WindWard PowerPoint Template

The WindWard PowerPoint template is a good example of how to achieve this effect.

6. Combine the Quote With the Author Photo

If you've got many quotes to include, you can include the photo of the quote author. You can use this idea in several ways: 

  • Use the photo of the author as the slide background and apply a color overlay, then add the quote on top.
  • Use a split layout design and put the quote and the photo of the author side by side.
  • Create three columns and use one for the actual quote. Use the second column for the photo of the author. The third column could be for a relevant statistic related to the topic or quote.

For example, you can create a slide like the one featured in the Hilo template :

Hilo Template

7. Add Colored Borders

You can also play around with shapes and add a rectangle at the top and bottom of the slide. Change the colors of the rectangles and then add the quote in between. Take inspiration from the Melt PowerPoint template from Envato Elements.

Melt PowerPoint Template

8. Use a Ribbon Banner

If you don’t want to use a photo or a full colored background, a simple shape can be effective as well.

For example, you could use the built-in ribbon banner to display your quote. Check out this example. 

ribbon banner powerpoint

Fun, banner like shapes can really draw extra attention to keywords and quotes.

It doesn't have to be a straight rectangle either. Notice how some simple rotation can add some whimsy. You can also try working with abstract shapes.

9. Use a Speech Bubble

Is your presentation is geared towards a younger audience? Or maybe you’re not dealing with a serious topic?

You could consider a speech bubble to display your quote. Luckily, PowerPoint comes with several callout shapes. You can use them to create a speech bubble. Try it next to a photo of the person you're quoting.

You can also dress the speech bubble concept up, if you're going for a more formal look. Take a look at this example. We have some implied speech bubble shapes. They're sleek, stylish, and worked into a classy, clean aesthetic.

Speech Bubble presentation

10. Contrast Commands Attention

One of the best ways to catch the viewer's eye is with contrast.

Notice how placing white text on a black background, in this example, really stands out. 

color block presentation

You can really experiment with this idea in many ways. For example, it can be an excellent way to draw emphasis to the person who said the quote. Or, if you want the quote itself to the focal point, you can use contrast in a similar way.

11. Use Text Size to Your Advantage

Check out this fun, stylish example. Notice the role that the font plays here. The larger the font, the more emphasis it commands.

pastel powerpoint

 If your quote is meant to be smaller and more supplemental, keep it smaller. If the quote is meant to be the focus of your slide, consider making it large.

Gauge the size based on the design and the length of the text. You may want supplemental text to be smaller. This would apply to things like the name of the person being quoted.

12. Color Can Also Craft an Experience

Check out this fun, colorful example. You can use color to make specific parts of your quote stand out. 

fashion powerpoint

For example, maybe you want to draw attention to the end of a quote. Try doing so in a supplemental color. Think of it similarly to adding bolds or italics to your type.

Color can have a similar impact. Use it for inflection or use it to make a specific part more impactful. But make sure the color choices still make sense with the presentation overall branding and color scheme.

You’ve seen several creative ideas for presenting PowerPoint quote slides in PowerPoint. Next, let’s look at how you can customize a quote slide design with a premium PowerPoint template. For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll be using the Monstera template from Envato Elements. 

Monstera Template on Envato Elements

This template features a creative design. It comes with more than 90 slides. They are all are based on master slides. Let’s take a look at how you can quickly customize a quote slide in PowerPoint:

1. Choose Your Slide

Choosing the slide

The first step is to choose which slide you’re going to use for your quote slide. First, switch to the Slide Sorter view by clicking on the View tab so you can see all the different slide designs side by side. Then, select the slide design you want to use as a starting point. For example, I’ll use the slide #24 for this tutorial. 

2. Add Your Quote

Adding a quote to the template

Double-click your chosen slide and PowerPoint will take you directly to it. As you can see, this slide has a photo on the left and plenty of space on the right to add the quote. To add your quote, double-click the text, press CTRL+A to select all the dummy text and then delete it. Then type in your quote as well as the author’s name. 

3. Add the Author’s Photo

Adding an author photo

The next step is to add the author’s photo. All you've got to do is click the photo icon and then locate the photo on your computer. Click Insert and the photo is added to the placeholder. 

4. Customize the Text

Customize the slide text

Once you’ve added the photo, you can further style and tweak your quote slide. Start by customizing the text of the quote. You can change the font as well as the size.

In this example, I’ve increased the size of the text and set it to italic. If you want to change the font, simply highlight the text. Then choose a different font from the drop-down menu on the Home tab. 

5. Adjust Colors

Customize the background color in your slide

Finally, you can also change the color of the background where your quote is. To do this, right-click on the background and select Format shape . Then under the Fill option, click on Solid Fill . Then choose a different color from the premade color scheme or enter your own hex color code. 

Trying to find beautiful PowerPoint templates with versatile slides? Envato Elements should be your first stop. Envato Elements has a compelling offer. For a single monthly price, you get access to thousands of unlimited use PowerPoint templates. You also get access to graphic files, web templates, and more. 

Take a look at some of the best PowerPoint quote templates from Envato Elements:

1. Vogue Monal PowerPoint Template

vogue monal powerpoint

This PowerPoint quote template features a minimal and clean design. This template style is perfect for PowerPoint quote slides. The template comes with more than 150 unique slides. It also includes:

  • five premade color schemes
  • picture placeholders
  • gallery and portfolio slides

2. Wixa PowerPoint Template

Wixa PowerPoint Template

This template has an elegant design. It features several creative slide layouts. Use them to create a great quotes presentation slide. It also has five premade color schemes. Customizing this template is a breeze. You’ll find resizable vector graphics, image placeholders, and more than 150 unique slides.

3. Simple PowerPoint

Simple PowerPoint Template

This simple PowerPoint has a bold and colorful design. You’ll have no trouble designing an eye-catching quotes presentation slide. The template includes image placeholders. It also has light and a dark version. Even better, it has fully animated slides. 

4. Luna PowerPoint Template

Luna PowerPoint Template

Here's another bold and colorful PowerPoint template. This presentation template can be used for any type of presentation. It features 150+ slides. The template includes five premade color schemes. You can just as easily use your own colors too.

Here's some of what you’ll find:

  • image placeholders
  • creative slide layouts
  • resizable vector graphics
  • slide animations

5. Orwell Presentation PowerPoint

Orwell Presentation powerpoint

If you prefer a minimal style, check out this template. It has a classic black and white look. Your quote presentation slides are sure to stand out. The template includes 50+ unique slides. You’ll also find image placeholders, easily editable charts, slide transitions, and more.

Envato Elements is the perfect choice for professionals from all walks of life. It offers so many benefits. Find the perfect template fast. You can also download all kinds of other assets for your project too. Sign up for Envato Elements now .

Find PowerPoint Templates

Quote powerpoint templates on Envato Elements

Envato Elements saves time and resources. Easily download and customize the perfect PowerPoint presentation.

Not sure what design would be perfect for your quotes slideshow? With Envato Elements, you get unlimited downloads. You can download as many presentations as you like, because they're all included for one price. 

  • Need stock photos? They're also included.
  • This also includes fonts, graphics, illustrations, sound effects, and much more.
  • Changed your mind? You can easily download another PowerPoint presentation without any additional cost.

Want to learn more about PowerPoint? There's a wealth of free tutorials right here at Envato Tuts+. Learn even more creative ways to add quotes on presentation slides. Or pick up even more PowerPoint skills.

best quotes on presentations

Looking for even more PowerPoint quote inspiration? Check out these stylish templates. They're perfect for adding quotes in PowerPoint. All of the designs are fully customizable. This means that adding presentation quotes is as simple as pasting in your desired content. 

best quotes on presentations

Agreat PowerPoint quote slide can add visual interest to your presentation. It can really back up your topic. With the tips in this article, you’ll be well on your way!

Use these tips to design an attractive and impactful quotes slide. So, the only thing left to do is to get the perfect PowerPoint template. What quotes on PowerPoint would you add to your presentation?

Hop on over to Envato Elements and browse our collection of stunning PowerPoint quote templates if you need design assets on the regular. Happy designing!

Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally published in December 2020. It's been updated for accuracy and to share additional information by Daisy Ein . 

Brenda Barron

How to Present Quotes in a Presentation

Discover effective strategies for presenting quotes in your presentations. Learn how to enhance impact and engagement with proper quote integration techniques.

Why Use Quotes in a Presentation?

Adding credibility, illustrating points, inspiring your audience, choosing the right quotes, credibility of the source, integrating quotes into your presentation, use of visual aids, text formatting, slide design, techniques for presenting quotes, direct quote slides, integrated quotes, animated quotes, video quotes, best practices for presenting quotes, provide context, cite the source, practice delivery, examples of effective quote presentation, example 1: inspirational quote, example 2: statistical quote, example 3: testimonial quote, common mistakes to avoid, overusing quotes, lack of context, create ppt using ai.

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Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech

The vice president’s remarks lasted roughly 35 minutes on the final night of the convention in Chicago.

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People watch as Kamala Harris speaks on a large screen above them.

By The New York Times

  • Aug. 23, 2024

This is a transcript of Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on Thursday night in which she formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency.

OK, let’s get to business. Let’s get to business. All right.

So, let me start by thanking my most incredible husband, Doug. For being an incredible partner to me, an incredible father to Cole and Ella, and happy anniversary, Dougie. I love you so very much.

To our president, Joe Biden. When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I love you and Jill, and are forever thankful to you both.

And to Coach Tim Walz. You are going to be an incredible vice president. And to the delegates and everyone who has put your faith in our campaign, your support is humbling.

So, America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys. So, my mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. And I miss her every day, and especially right now. And I know she’s looking down smiling. I know that.

So, my mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.

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    22. "There are only two days of the year when you can do nothing: one is called yesterday and the other tomorrow". Dalai Lama. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today; live each day as if it were your last. 23. "In the end, everything works out, and if it didn't work, it's because it hasn't come to an end".

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    Use what you have. Do what you can.". "Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.". "You can have results or excuses. Not both.". "There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.". "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.".

  7. 19 Great Quotes to Inspire You to Better Presenting

    Dianna Booher. 5) "The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.". Lilly Walters. 6) "If you don't know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will.". Harvey Diamond. 7) "Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.".

  8. 101 Quotes to inspire speakers

    1. The nervous and 2. Liars.". "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.". "90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.". - Somers White (Tweet this) "It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.".

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    Even a seasoned business man can learn and grow by reflecting on these timeless quotes. Importance Of Presentation Skills Quotes. Quotes on presentation skills play a crucial role in inspiring, guiding, and reminding individuals of the principles and practices that lead to effective communication. Broadly speaking, quotes on presentation skills ...

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    Famous. Quotes For an Awesome Presentation. I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples. - Mother Teresa. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou.

  11. 20 Great Quotes To Help You Deliver A Killer Speech

    Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take. "The meaning of communication is the response you get.". ~NLP maxim. Use the power of REPETITION. One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

  12. 50 Inspiring Public Speaking Quotes to Help You Conquer Your Fear

    Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.". - Deuteronomy 31:6. "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.".

  13. 21 Brilliant Presentation Quotes To Start Your Speech

    5. If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti. 6. A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. - Max Lucado. 7. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

  14. Best Opening Quotes For Speeches & Presentations

    Happy Opening Quotes. Happy quotes are a great way to start when the event is light and positive - or you want it to become so: 72 Short Happy Quotes To Brighten Your Day. True Happiness Quotes & Sayings. 32 'Life Is Short, Be Happy' Quotes; Just A Little Reminder!

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    QUOTES ON PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING. "All Abe Lincoln needed was a pencil and paper to make his speech at Gettysburg." - @TipsForSpeakers. "All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.". - Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Communication works for those who work at it.". - John Powell.

  16. Top 10 quotes for your next business presentation

    However, we still would like to provide you with a few more quotes to begin a business presentation: There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. — Colin Powell; A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all. — Michael LeBoeuf;

  17. PowerPoint Quotes: Mastering the Use of Quotes in PPT

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    Use the photo of the author as the slide background and apply a color overlay, then add the quote on top. Use a split layout design and put the quote and the photo of the author side by side. Create three columns and use one for the actual quote. Use the second column for the photo of the author.

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    Creative idea 5: Use Image backgrounds. You can find various public domain images or images from Microsoft Clipart collection to find suitable "blank" images. This will help you represent your ideas in a creative way. You can use images of billboards, advertising spaces, brick walls etc. to present your PowerPoint quote creatively.

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    1. Launch Ideas: Inspiring quotes may also entice your audience to come up with new ideas or fresh ways of taking on a project or solving problems. Consider using quotes in group settings for brainstorming and coming up with fresh ideas. 2. Inspire: Whatever you are presenting on, your goal should be to inspire and make your audience excited ...

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    Example 1: Inspirational Quote. Slide Design: A single slide with a motivational quote in a large, bold font, accompanied by a relevant background image. Delivery: Introduce the quote, explain its relevance to your topic, and pause briefly after reading it to let it sink in.

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  25. Kamala Harris's 2024 DNC Speech: Full Transcript

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