The duty of a toastmaster is to be so dull that the succeeding speakers will appear brilliant by contrast.
The relationship of the toastmaster to speaker should be the same as that of the fan to the fan dancer. It should call attention to the subject without making any particular effort to cover it.
They don't need a lawyer, they need a toastmaster.
Faultfinding without suggestions for improvement is a waste of time.
When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no. Come on... Her, again?' You know. But, whatever.
I, uh...I have a television, so I'm going to spend some time here to tell you some things. [To orchestra conductor:] And, and...and sir, you're doing a great job, but you're so quick with that stick, so why don't you sit. 'Cause I may never be here again.'
Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.'
This moment is so much bigger than me. It's for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.
She still talks to me now, only now she talks to me in my dreams. And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about. I love you.
It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
A speech without a specific purpose is like a journey without a destination.
Toastmasters changed my life. They really did. Put me on the stage. I don’t know what I would have done without that positive boost.
A church is in a bad way when it banishes laughter from the sanctuary and leaves it to the cabaret, the nightclub and the toastmasters.
or simply:
