--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every man is born with the faculty of…" description: "\"Every man is born with the faculty of reason and the faculty of speech, but why should he be able to speak before he has anything to say?\" — Benjamin W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54d/benjamin-whichcote-7885_able_every-man-is-born-with-the-faculty-of-re_924308.png" --- # Every man is born with the faculty of reason and the… ![“Every man is born with the faculty of reason and the faculty of speech, but why should he be able to speak before he has anything to say?” quote by Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54d/benjamin-whichcote-7885_able_every-man-is-born-with-the-faculty-of-re_924308.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54d/benjamin-whichcote-7885_able_every-man-is-born-with-the-faculty-of-re_924308.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54d/benjamin-whichcote-7885_able_every-man-is-born-with-the-faculty-of-re_924308.png) > “Every man is born with the faculty of reason and the faculty of speech, but why should he be able to speak before he has anything to say?” [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reason and speech are innate, but speaking without substance is pointless; thought should precede expression. **In simple terms:** Think before you speak. Key Takeaway Cultivate ideas before speaking. Themes communication reason speech Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - debates - teaching - leadership - public speaking Key Concepts epistemology rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure you have something to say? - What prevents you from speaking without thought? A Different Perspective Speaking without content can damage credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [Faith is a higher faculty than reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-c-bailey/faith-is-a-higher-faculty-than-reason/) H. C. Bailey > [Let us become thoroughly sensible of the weakness, blindness, and narrow limits of human reason: Let us duly consider its uncertainty and endless contrarieties,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/let-us-become-thoroughly-sensible-of-the-weakness-blindness-and/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [I would call the attention of the reader to the difference between "reason" and "reasoning." Reason is a light, reasoning a process. 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T. 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