It is of some importance, therefore, to those who take up this volume with open

mind that they should see clearly at the out-start what is the thought that at

once underlies and is builded through this structure. In plain words it is this:

 

Training in public speaking is not a matter of externals--primarily; it is not a

matter of imitation--fundamentally; it is not a matter of conformity to

standards--at all. Public speaking is public utterance, public issuance, of the

man himself; therefore the first thing both in time and in importance is that

the man should be and think and feel things that are worthy of being given

forth. Unless there be something of value within, no tricks of training can ever

make of the talker anything more than a machine--albeit a highly perfected

machine--for the delivery of other men's goods. So self-development is

fundamental in our plan.

 

The second principle lies close to the first: The man must enthrone his will to

rule over his thought, his feelings, and all his physical powers, so that the

outer self may give perfect, unhampered expression to the inner. It is futile,

we assert, to lay down systems of rules for voice culture, intonation, gesture,

and what not, unless these two principles of having something to say and making

the will sovereign have at least begun to make themselves felt in the life.

 

The third principle will, we surmise, arouse no dispute: No one can learn _how_

to speak who does not first speak as best he can. That may seem like a vicious

circle in statement, but it will bear examination.