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Speak Quotes

The languages, and limits, people speak within.

A couple of these speak quotes are about language and identity specifically, children translating for family members, and a cultural background where the expected native language was never actually spoken at home. The Language collection covers this in more depth.

I speak very quickly, even for an elected public servant. So if I fast-talk you, I'm not trying to mislead you.

Quotes by Jesse White

I can only speak for myself - I don't care how I look.

Quotes by Jerry Ferrara

I speak Mandarin and can read and write a little. I took a few classes at Harvard to get better in my reading and writing skills.

Quotes by Jeremy Lin

I always have a problem playing text-heavy games. I'm a slow reader. I don't speak English well. As a kid in China, trying to play these games, I just wanted the text to go away.

Quotes by Jenova Chen

Even at age 10, I already knew that I was different from most people. My anxiety disorder was still years from being diagnosed, but it affected me quite deeply. I was too afraid to speak out in class, too nervous...

Quotes by Jenny Lawson

When we were at the CMT Awards this year, Robert Plant was there. What an icon, I love him... But I can't go up and speak to him, because I don't want to seem like a goob.

Quotes by Jennifer Nettles

Here's what I've learned about Hillary Clinton: She will be criticized when she speaks; she will be criticized when she doesn't speak. And so I think she should speak her mind.

Quotes by Jennifer Palmieri

I learned to speak Italian, somewhat. Definitely enough to get around in Italy. My grandfather always used to swear at my grandmother in Italian.

Quotes by Jen Lancaster

Learning to speak was the most remarkable thing you ever did.

Quotes by Jeffrey Kluger

When you use the word 'filibuster,' most of us in America - and I count myself among them - envision it as the ability to hold the floor on rare occasions to speak at length and make your point emphatically...

Quotes by Jeff Merkley

I really want to make this the last stop of my career. I don't want to be a vagabond, so to speak, and be traveling from team to team, year in and year out. I'm not that type of guy....

Quotes by Jeff Garcia

I don't know if it's how I speak or what it is about me that presents that sort of label, but I don't know how many times I have to be out in public with a girlfriend to stop that...

Quotes by Jeff Garcia

We have the First Amendment to rely on whenever an elected official tries to impinge on our rights to speak.

Quotes by Jeff Bewkes

I find books that have a moral and spiritual center, that speak to what is really important and lasting, hugely appealing.

Quotes by Jeannette Walls

I don't see Republicans flipping their lids trying to burn down buildings in Ninja outfits when a Democrat, progressive, or socialist tries to speak.

Quotes by Jeanine Pirro

Real silencing occurs when a conservative tries to speak at a liberal university like Berkeley, and the party of anger and violence acts on their hatred when a police department says we can't protect a Republican speaker.

Quotes by Jeanine Pirro

We are born, so to speak, twice over; born into existence, and born into life; born a human being, and born a man.

Quotes by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

My father's really fluent in French, but I can't speak at all. I actually took it twice in school already and failed both times!

Quotes by Jean-Luc Bilodeau

I don't think we should speak so much. What if we were singing a song? We split, whilst singing.

Quotes by Jean Gabin

Would Hamlet have felt the delicious fascination of suicide if he hadn't had an audience, and lines to speak?

Quotes by Jean Genet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a quote about children speaking another language?
Yes — a proud one: "My children speak very good Chinese, and they translate for our American friends." It highlights language skill as something to be proud of within a family. For more quotes about language and communication, see Language quotes.
Is there a quote about identity and language not matching expectations?
Yes — a direct one: "I'm a Persian Jew, and we don't speak Hebrew." It's a clear, honest statement correcting an assumption people might make. For more quotes about knowing and understanding people better, browse Know quotes.
Is there a quote using "speak" as a figure of speech?
Yes — one uses the phrase casually: "I just sort of follow my bliss, so to speak, and then I see where that takes me." Here "speak" isn't literal — it's part of a common expression about following your instincts. For more relaxed, conversational quotes like this, check out Like quotes.
Is there a quote about not wanting to hear certain people speak?
Yes — a strong one: "There are evil people, and I don't even want to hear those guys speak." It's a forceful statement about refusing to give a platform to certain voices. For more strongly held opinions like this, see Always quotes.
What's the range of ways "speak" is used across these quotes?
From literal fluency in a language, to correcting assumptions, to a common expression, to refusing to listen — these quotes show how flexible the word "speak" really is.

Others use the word more loosely, one following an instinct rather than a plan, another admitting discomfort even listening to certain harmful views. Continue with Know quotes or Always quotes.