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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
Deliberateness of speech will save the beginner from many pitfalls. The trouble with a rapid speaker is that he does not take time to breathe properly, pronounce his words distinctly, or to frame his sentences in his mind before giving them expression. All within is a jumble and the outward style follows as a matter of course. The effect of a slow and easy style in speaking is illustrated in a story of Lord Palmerston, who was known always to take his time. While he was addressing an audience, a member of the audience, as is the custom in England, interrupted him, asking if he would give a plain answer to a plain question. When asked what the question was, the man said, "Will you vote for such-and-such measure of reform!" Lord Palmerston very slowly answered, "I will"--then. paused long, while some of the audience cheered, and added, "not," while others cheered, and then he said, "tell you!" whereupon the whole audience broke forth into hearty and vociferous applause. Haste is not only waste, but means inferiority. A man can not hope to be self-possessed in public speaking unless he is deliberate. A reasonably slow style of speaking gives increased weight to one's words, and gains credit for depth and profundity, not always, however, wholly deserved. But more than this, it gives the speaker time in which properly to formulate his sentences, to observe their effect upon the audience, and to express exactly what he wishes to say. A rapid speaker is forever saying the wrong thing, or something he did not intend, or running off into dreary discursiveness. A deliberate speaker is likely to be more careful and accurate, his words more particularly rounded out into clearness and fullness, and his whole style more emphatic and energetic. He must not drawl, nor give the impression of tardiness, since these, too, are faults to be avoided. The deliberateness of which we speak simply means that he be self-possessed, sincere, and deeply solicitous that everyone should understand him. What has been said must not be confounded with a monotonous delivery. Nothing is more uninteresting than to listen to an unvaried tone of voice, however good the speaker's ideas may be. We are recommending energetic and expressive deliberateness, not drawling monotony or hesitation.
THE FOOT-PATH TO PEACE
To be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgust; to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and every day of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God's out-of-doors, these are little guide-posts on the foot-path to peace.
Henry Van Dyke.
*Reprinted from The Outlook. Copyright, 1900, by the Outlook Company. Permission of Henry van Dyke.
Chapter XIX
TOWARD THE HEIGHTS
When we go forth to do our work with gladness of heart, a higher power seems to lend us its beneficent aid. Work that is cheerfully done is usually well done. The mighty deeds wrought for humanity invariably have sprung from hearts inspired by gladness of life. To be grateful for opportunity to act, to work, to love, and to serve, is one of the supreme joys of earth.
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