Practice Humility in Speaking

Worse than fearing that you are doing poorly is a self-promotion that you are doing well.

The first sign of greatness is when a man does not attempt to look and act great. The same thing can be said of speaking. Someone who thinks himself as faking great speaking is a fake speaker.

Before you can call yourself a man at all, Kipling assures us, you must “not look too good nor talk too wise.” A constant reminder when I am tempted to proclaim myself the new emperor of inspirational speakers.

One cannot hide conceit.

A speaker who is full of self is usually running on empty.

Voltaire said, “We must conceal self-love.” But that is easier written than done. Most of us seek recognition from others. Those who are impatient will go ahead and proclaim what others cannot utter.

I can assure you. Wait a little longer.

If greatness is in you, you cannot hide it and people cannot ignore it.

– Jef Menguin

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