Inspiring Public Speaking Quotes

If you’re struggling with fear of public speaking or just learning to speak in public, these motivational public speaking quotes will inspire you.

One thing we’ve learned in this series about public speaking is that it’s normal to have a fear of public speaking. Hopefully, you’ve also learned that it’s possible to improve your public speaking skills through mastering the right techniques and through practice.

If you’re one of those who’s struggling to become a better speaker, though, it can be easy to become discouraged. You may feel that you’re the only one who’s got to work on their speaking skills or the only one who suffers from a fear of public speaking. You may feel unmotivated about your upcoming speech and you may be tempted to quit.

The truth, though, is that you’re not alone. There are many others who have learned to improve their public speaking skill. When you struggle with something, sometimes it helps to know that you’re not alone.

In this article, I share public speaking quotes from such famous people as Jerry Seinfeld and others. My hope is that when you read some of these inspirational quotes about public speaking, you’ll be encouraged.

Top Quotes About Public Speaking

Here are some of the best quotes about public speaking that I’ve found. In this list, you’ll find funny quotes on public speaking, quotes about fear of public speaking, and famous quotes on public speaking.

Fear of Public Speaking Quotes

Fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias that people face. Some studies estimate that as many as 75% of us have this common fear. If you struggle with fear of public speaking (sometimes known as stage fright), hopefully you’ll find these quotes about public speaking from those who’ve faced this fear to be helpful.

1. Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts is a popular actress who has appeared in numerous movies and television shows. With those accomplishments, you wouldn’t expect Roberts to have stage fright, but in February of 2010, Roberts was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying:

“…doing a music video is so embarrassing. I don’t think I’ll be doing [another] album unless I write it for someone else. I have stage fright. I can’t ever do theater because I would pee my pants… It’s way too nerve-racking. There’s a comfort in being able to mess up when you’re on a movie set.”

2. Mahatma Gandhi

One of the greatest influencers and leaders of the 20th century, Gandhi led the Indian independence movement from British rule. Yet, Gandhi struggled with shyness. In Gandhi’s autobiography, there’s an entire chapter on shyness. The chapter includes this motivational quote, which can be applied to public speaking:

“My shyness has been in reality my shield and buckler. It has allowed me to grow. It has helped me in my discernment of truth.”

3. Prince Harry

Even being a royal doesn’t make you immune from fear of public speaking. Prince Harry has admitted to struggling with stage fright. Here’s the quote from the Prince:

“My secret is – believe it or not – I get incredibly nervous before public speaking, no matter how big the crowd or the audience and, um, despite the fact that I laugh and joke all the time I get incredibly nervous, if not anxious, actually, before going into rooms full of people when I’m wearing a suit… And now that I’ve confessed that, I’ll probably be even more worried that people are looking at me.”

4. Annie Lennox

Lennox is perhaps most famous as the lead singer of the British music group, the Eurythmics. But Lennox also had to overcome the fear of public speaking:

“Fear paralyses you - fear of flying, fear of the future, fear of leaving a rubbish marriage, fear of public speaking, or whatever it is.” (Source: BrainyQuotes)

Funny Quotes on Public Speaking

It’s often been said that the ability to laugh at oneself is a good thing. If you can recognize yourself in some of these funny quotes on public speaking, it may cheer you up.

5. Jerry Seinfeld

As a comedian and television personality, Seinfeld has a humorous take on public speaking. He reportedly said:

“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 doing the eulogy.” (Source: New York Post)

6. Dale Carnegie

A renowned writer and lecturer, Carnegie is best known for the advice book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Regarding public speaking, Carnegie reportedly said:

“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.” (Source: BrainyQuotes)

7. George Jessel

A famed British jurist, Sir George Jessel humorously remarked about public speaking:

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops… until you stand up to speak in public.” (Source: BrainyQuote)

8. Dorothy Sarnoff

Sarnoff started as an opera singer and later founded a company focused on improving public speaking skills. She said:

“Make sure that you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening!” (Source: Lead Yourself Today by John E. Markley)

9. Adam Duritz

The vocalist for the rock band Counting Crows shared this funny take on stage fright:

“People ask me if I have stage fright. I say, ‘… no, I’m completely comfortable there. I have rest-of-the-day fright.’” (Source: AZ Quotes)

Famous Quotes on Public Speaking

In this section, I’ve shared motivational and inspirational quotes about public speaking from well-known leaders.

10. Lady Bird Johnson

As the First Lady of the United States, Johnson advocated for various causes. She said:

“The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” (Source: Quotes.net)

11. Ralph Waldo Emerson

This influential poet and philosopher expressed the importance of speech:

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” (Source: The Later Lectures of Ralph Waldo Emerson: 1843 - 1871)

12. Seth Godin

Known for his entrepreneurial ventures and blogging, Godin noted:

“You are not being judged; the value of what you are bringing to the audience is being judged.”

13. Richard Branson

The founder of the Virgin Group shared this advice about public speaking:

“Picture yourself in a living room having a chat with your friends. You would be relaxed and comfortable talking to them; the same applies when public speaking.”

14. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt, who led the country through challenging times, is credited with saying:

“Be sincere; be brief; be seated.” (Source: GoodReads)

15. Hillary Clinton

Clinton, a notable public figure, emphasized the importance of practice:

“If you’re not comfortable with public speaking - and nobody starts out comfortable; you have to learn how to be comfortable - practice. I cannot overstate the importance of practicing.” (Source: AZQuotes)

Take Away: Use These Motivational Quotes for Public Speaking to Become a Better Speaker

If you get nothing else from this article, remember that public speaking is a skill that can be improved. You can improve. You can become a better public speaker! As you read these quotes, I hope you find them useful in your journey to mastering public speaking.