Listen to episode 222 of the Inspirational Living podcast: The Art of Public Speaking | Success Talks. Edited and adapted from the book Self-Investment by Orison Swett Marden, published in 1911.
Podcast Excerpt: Welcome to the Inspirational Living podcast. If you value our podcast and would like to help support us with a one-time donation this holiday season, please visit LivingHour.org/donate. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will help ensure the continued production of our podcast. Thank you. Today’s reading was edited and adapted from Self-Investment by Orison Swett Marden, published in 1911.
It does not matter whether you want to be a public speaker or not. A person should have such complete control of themselves, should be so self-reliant and self-poised, that they can get up in front of any audience, no matter how large or formidable, and express their thoughts clearly and distinctly.
Self-expression in some manner is the only means of developing mental power. It may be in music; it may be on canvas; it may be through oratory; it may come through selling goods or writing a book; but it must come through self-expression.
Self-expression in any legitimate form tends to call out what is in us, our resourcefulness and inventiveness. But no other form of self-expression develops us so thoroughly and so effectively, and so quickly unfolds all of our powers, as speaking before an audience.
It is doubtful whether anyone can reach the highest standard of culture without studying the art of expression, especially public vocal expression. In all ages, public speaking has been regarded as the highest expression of human achievement. Young people, no matter what they intend to be, whether mechanic or farmer, merchant or physician, should make it a study.