Subject: Communication (Page 59)

The effectiveness of a telephone conversation is in inverse proportion to the time spent on it.

Communication Conversation Murphy’s Laws Time

I always say beauty is only sin deep.

(1870 – 1916) British writer
Appearance Wordplay

Reading him is like wading through glue.

(1809 – 1892) Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
Insults Reading/Writing

There was a young man from Peru

Whose limericks stopped at line two.

Communication Wordplay

Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original and the part that is original is not good.

(1709 – 1784) English author, essayist, critic, editor & lexicographer
Communication Reading/Writing Reviews/Criticism

If I could say a few words… I would be a better public speaker.

cartoon character in The Simpsons (Dan Castellaneta)
Communication Speech TV/Movie Quotes

The principle of give and take is the principle of diplomacy – give one and take ten.

Samuel Clemens (1835 – 1910) author & humorist
Characteristics Communication Situations

If a jogger runs at the speed of sound, can he still hear his Walkman?

(1955 – ) comedian, actor & writer
Science/Weather Wordplay

A best seller was a book which somehow sold well simply because it was selling well.

(1914 – ) historian
Books Communication Reading/Writing Success

Why does your nose run and your feet smell?

Appearance Body Language

Politics makes estranged bedfellows.

(Aiskowitz) (1899 – 1982) humorist
Government Language Politics

My boss told me to get my butt in gear… I told him I was shiftless.

(1966 – ) American stand-up comic
Communication Language Work

The crucial memorandum will be snared in the out-basket by the paper clip of the overlying correspondence and go to file.

Communication Murphy’s Laws

Information necessitating a change of design will be conveyed to the designer after and only after the design is complete. (Often referred to as the ‘Now They Tell Me' Law)

Communication Murphy’s Laws

Most writers regard truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are most economical in its use.

Samuel Clemens (1835 – 1910) author & humorist
Beliefs Communication Honesty Truth

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy – but that could change.

(1947 – ) U.S. vice president & politician
Communication Misspokements

Editor: a person employed by a newspaper, whose business it is to separate the wheat from the chaff, and to see that the chaff is printed.

(1856 – 1915) writer, publisher, artist & philosopher
Communication Occupations Reading/Writing

Folks that blurt out just what they think wouldn't be so bad if they thought.

(1868 – 1930) cartoonist, humorist & journalist
Communication Intelligence Speech Thinking

A dialogue is a good monologue spoiled by somebody else talking.

(1921 – 2004) English actor & author
Communication Conversation Speech

director I spent four years in college but I didn’t learn a thing; i was really my own fault… I had a double major in psychology and reverse psychology.

(1979 – ) American actor, writer, comedian & director
Communication Education Wordplay

I didn't know her well, but after watching her in action I didn't want to know her well.

(1905 – 1977) American actress
Communication People