--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Speech is power: speech is to persuade…" description: "\"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png" --- # Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to… ![“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png) > “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speech is a tool for persuasion, conversion, and compelling influence over others. **In simple terms:** Speech can persuade, convert, and compel. Key Takeaway Use speech responsibly to inspire and lead. Themes communication influence philosophy Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - leadership - marketing - activism Key Concepts rhetoric persuasion techniques Questions to Reflect On - How does speech shape belief systems? - When should action supplement speech? A Different Perspective Overreliance on speech can neglect action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to-convert-to-compel-it-is-to/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/speech-has-power-words-do-not-fade-what-starts-out-as-a-sound-ends-in/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Some people only speak of freedom of speech while they're out of power. Once they're in power, they're ruthless in suppressing the rights of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/some-people-only-speak-of-freedom-of-speech-while-they-re-out-of/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I have long suspected that the power of speech is not a power at all, but a mere form of hysteria from which the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corra-may-harris/i-have-long-suspected-that-the-power-of-speech-is-not-a-power-at-all/) [Corra May Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corra-may-harris/) > [“The west has fiscalised its basic power relationships through a web of contracts, loans, shareholdings, bank holdings and so on. In such an environment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/the-west-has-fiscalised-its-basic-power-relationships-through-a-web-2/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [In all sincere speech there is power, not necessarily great power, but as much as the speaker is capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-henry-lewes/in-all-sincere-speech-there-is-power-not-necessarily-great-power-but/) [George Henry Lewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-henry-lewes/) > [A good symbol is the best argument, and is a missionary to persuade thousands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-good-symbol-is-the-best-argument-and-is-a-missionary-to-persuade/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [There is a principle which is the basis of things, which all speech aims to say, and all action to evolve, a simple, quiet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-a-principle-which-is-the-basis-of-things-which-all-speech/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/few-people-know-how-to-take-a-walk-the-qualifications-are-endurance/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Your goodness must have some edge to it -- else it is none.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/your-goodness-must-have-some-edge-to-it-else-it-is-none/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Every natural power exhilarates; a true talent delights the possessor first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-natural-power-exhilarates-a-true-talent-delights-the-possessor/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When science is learned in love, and its powers are wielded by love, they will appear the supplements and continuations of the material creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-science-is-learned-in-love-and-its-powers-are-wielded-by-love/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I always believed as a speechwriter that if you could persuade the president to commit himself to certain words, he would feel himself committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/i-always-believed-as-a-speechwriter-that-if-you-could-persuade-the/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [“Don't think you can persuade me with appeals to my intellectual vanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-harris/don-t-think-you-can-persuade-me-with-appeals-to-my-intellectual-vanity/) [Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-harris/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Persuade quotes > [“Don't think you can persuade me with appeals to my intellectual vanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-harris/don-t-think-you-can-persuade-me-with-appeals-to-my-intellectual-vanity/) [Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-harris/) > [I always believed as a speechwriter that if you could persuade the president to commit himself to certain words, he would feel himself committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/i-always-believed-as-a-speechwriter-that-if-you-could-persuade-the/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [To design is much more than simply to assemble, to order, or even to edit: it is to add value and meaning, to illuminate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rand/to-design-is-much-more-than-simply-to-assemble-to-order-or-even-to/) [Paul Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rand/) > [“And if I am asked today to advise a young writer who has not yet made up his mind what way to go, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-zweig/and-if-i-am-asked-today-to-advise-a-young-writer-who-has-not-yet-made/) [Stefan Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-zweig/) > [Presidents are evaluated not by what they did by the stroke of their own pen; it's what they persuade Congress to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/presidents-are-evaluated-not-by-what-they-did-by-the-stroke-of-their/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears by listening to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-rusk/one-of-the-best-ways-to-persuade-others-is-with-your-ears-by/) [Dean Rusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-rusk/) > [“Convince is for thought; persuade is for action.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-wood/convince-is-for-thought-persuade-is-for-action/) [Monica Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-wood/) > [ I like \[Barak\] Obama. I like him. So how far does rationality help to persuade anybody? You know, I'm not so sure. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/i-like-barak-obama-i-like-him-so-how-far-does-rationality-help-to/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I have noticed that no sooner do people embark on a course of action which they do not find wholly satisfactory than they muster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morice/i-have-noticed-that-no-sooner-do-people-embark-on-a-course-of-action/) Anne Morice > [For thousands of years, humans have used the art of storytelling to motivate and persuade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-soltis-anderson/for-thousands-of-years-humans-have-used-the-art-of-storytelling-to/) [Kristen Soltis Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-soltis-anderson/) > [I know people who will gently persuade you to be forthcoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-know-people-who-will-gently-persuade-you-to-be-forthcoming/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [I would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/i-would-rather-try-to-persuade-a-man-to-go-along-because-once-i-have/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Even within the band, if I cannot manage to persuade the members of what I see to be the next course of action, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/even-within-the-band-if-i-cannot-manage-to-persuade-the-members-of/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [It was not hard to persuade people that the market was sound; as always in such times they asked only that the dispiriting voices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/it-was-not-hard-to-persuade-people-that-the-market-was-sound-as/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [If you go into a bank or a shop and you want them to believe that you're going to shoot them, that's an acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mullan/if-you-go-into-a-bank-or-a-shop-and-you-want-them-to-believe-that-you/) [Peter Mullan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mullan/) Browse all 215 Persuade quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to-convert-to-compel/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Persuade" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to-convert-to-compel/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_persuade_speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to_2659447.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Speech is power: speech is to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to-convert-to-compel/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speech-is-power-speech-is-to-persuade-to-convert-to-compel/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```