---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Demosthenes was asked what was the…"
description: "\"When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, \"Action,\" and which was the second, he replied, \"action,\" and which was the..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/plutarch-597_action_when-demosthenes-was-asked-what-was-the_2453636.jpg"
---

#  When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of…

![“When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied, "action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/plutarch-597_action_when-demosthenes-was-asked-what-was-the_2453636.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/plutarch-597_action_when-demosthenes-was-asked-what-was-the_2453636.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/plutarch-597_action_when-demosthenes-was-asked-what-was-the_2453636.jpg)

> “When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied, "action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action.”

[Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Oratory is fundamentally about taking decisive action repeatedly, emphasizing that speech without action is empty.

**In simple terms:** Oratory equals action.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize action over words.

Themes

communication leadership action

Mood

determined assertive

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- political campaigning
- leadership training
- activism

Key Concepts

Rhetoric practicality

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance action with substance?
- When does action become performative?

A Different Perspective

Action alone may not persuade without thoughtful content.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Oratory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oratory/)

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