Some more

Pedro was known for his oratory and was invited as keynote speaker at many gatherings. After one more impact speech, an elderly lady admonished him, ‘you spoke less… you should have spoken for some more time!’ Pedro smiled and said, ‘thank you!’

The lady was surprised, ‘young man, did you hear what I am trying to convey? You should have spoken more!’ Pedro reiterated his gratefulness. The lady was irritated, ‘I just made a critical suggestion!’ Pedro’s smile remained intact, ‘you gave me the best compliment that an orator can receive… thank you!’

Pedro was right. When the audience craves for more, it means that the orator has not overdone his speech. To make an impact, profusion is not needed. The intent should be conveying one’s presentation without stealing the time of the audience.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter, ‘Amplification is the vice of modern oratory. It is an insult to an assembly of reasonable men, disgusting and revolting instead of persuading. Speeches measured by the hour, die with the hour!’

We must have the courage to leave out the unnecessary, even if they are brilliant lines. The primary purpose is to express. In the quest to impress, we tend to be long winded. We aim for the praise, ‘you spoke well’ but the true compliment is when it is said, ‘you should have spoken some more!’

Don’t speak more, lest the audience feels sore

True applause is when they ask for some more!

~ Pravin K Sabnis