As a speaker, you quickly discover just how powerful quotes can be. They’re everywhere — in books, online, on social media — and when used well, they can inspire, support your message, and add real impact to your speeches. But like any tool, they’re only as effective as the way you use them.
So, what exactly is a quote? In simple terms, it’s when you repeat or copy someone else’s words — usually giving credit to the original source. We use quotes to illustrate ideas, reinforce our points, or set the tone. They can make an excellent opening or closing statement and give your speech an extra layer of depth, credibility, and confidence.
However, not all quotes are created equal — and not all are used effectively. One of the most common mistakes in public speaking is dropping in a random quote just to sound more polished. A quote will only enhance your speech if it fits naturally with your message and your audience. If it doesn’t connect, it can feel forced or out of place.
Quotes are like guests at a party — invite the right ones, and the conversation comes alive. The right quote adds energy, relevance, and personality to your message. The wrong one, or too many of them, can make your speech feel crowded or confused.
When you use a quote, acknowledge who said it. You don’t have to give the full formal reference (“I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King Jr., 1963”), which would sound clunky mid-speech. Instead, weave it in naturally: “As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘I have a dream…’” That keeps the flow smooth and conversational.
Some quotes are so familiar they don’t need credit — lines like “All that glitters is not gold” or “A rolling stone gathers no moss” are part of everyday language. For anything else, though, it’s good practice to give credit where it’s due.
If you’re looking for quotes, the internet is a treasure trove. There are hundreds of quote sites you can bookmark, or you can search for quotes by theme — friendship, leadership, confidence, courage — the list is endless. And don’t forget to keep your own collection. Write down quotes that inspire you when you come across them in books, articles, or even on café walls. Those little gems often become the perfect addition to a future talk, blog, or public speaking event.
A quick word about copyright. Using a short quote in a speech, blog, or article to illustrate a point is usually fine. But if you’re planning to publish a book or create a product that relies heavily on quotes from others, that’s a different story. You’ll need permission, especially if you’re quoting song lyrics or poems — those are often protected and can be expensive to license. The good news? Anything published before 1925 is in the public domain, so you can quote those freely.
Quotes are a valuable resource for every speaker. When chosen with care, they can inspire, challenge, and move your audience. Use them to highlight your key ideas, open with impact, or leave your audience with a lasting thought. Collect them, respect them, and use them wisely — and watch how they make your speeches shine.
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Trish Springsteen
Speaker and Confidence Coach, Get Known Be Seen Specialist
Australia’s Leading Expert in Empowering Introverts
Multi International Award Winning Mentor
Inspirational Speaker, MC
International Award Winning Best Selling Author
Host Get Known Be Seen WebTV
I Believe in You until You Believe in Yourself
Clients work with Trish because they know she can help them have the confidence and self-belief to make speaking easy. Trish typically works with small business owners, introverts, authors and advocates helping them to promote their business to be visible. Stand out and make it easy for your clients to find you.
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