If you are trying to master the art of communication, you’ve come to the right place.
We have spent most of our lives talking to each other, but communicating effectively is very different from just talking.
If you want to improve your communication skills and need some help and inspiration to do so, then here are 158 quotes about language and communication.
Sections:
- Importance of communication
- Lack of communication
- Effective communication
- Relationships
- Communication in the workplace
- Communication and love
- Positive and inspirational
- Clear communication
- Teamwork and communication
- Famous quotes about communication
- Leadership and communication
- Funny
- Non-verbal communication
- Respectful communication
- Purposeful communication
- Common questions
Quotes about the importance of communication
If you want to have great interpersonal relationships, good communication skills are a must. Communication is the key to creating healthy relationships. Here are 14 of the best quotes about why communication is important.
1. “Communication is the most important part of anything you do.” —Paul Steinbrueck
 
2. “If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles.” —Jim Rohn
 
3. “Without communication, our life would come to a standstill.” —Curriculum Wadhwani, Communication, YouTube
4. “Your ability to communicate is an important tool in the pursuit of your goals.” —Les Brown
 
5. “Communicate. Even when it’s uncomfortable or uneasy. One of the best ways to heal is simply getting everything out.” —Unknown
 
6. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:37, English Standard Version
7. “Communication is the solvent of all problems and is the foundation for personal development.” —Peter Shepherd
 
8. “How one communicates can be a make or break factor in securing a job, maintaining a healthy relationship, and healthy self-expression.” —Yemi Fateli, The Importance of Effective Communication
 
9. “When communication is effective, it leaves all parties involved satisfied and feeling accomplished.” —Yemi Fateli, The Importance of Effective Communication
10. “Communication is the basis of all relationships.” —Curriculum Wadhwani, Communication, YouTube
 
11. “The two words ‘information ‘and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” —Sydney Harris
 
12. “Communication—the human connection—is the key to personal and career success.” —Paul J. Meyer
13. “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” —Nat Turner
 
14. “Communication is the basis of all relationships.” —Curriculum Wadhwani, Communication, YouTube
Quotes and sayings about lack of communication
Poor communication can ruin even the best of relationships. When you’ve had a misunderstanding with someone, it’s important to break the silence and fix the issue. Bad communication doesn’t have to ruin your deep relationships. Inspire better communication in your relationships with the following 15 quotes.
1. “Lack of communication can ruin a lot of good sh*t.” —Unknown
 
2. “It’s not distance that keeps people apart, it’s lack of communication.” —Unknown
 
3. “You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can’t communicate your ideas, it doesn’t matter.” —Steve Jobs
4. “Active communication does not always equal effective communication.” —Samantha McDuffee, How to Communicate Effectively, 2021
 
5. “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” —Epictetus
 
6. “Years ago, I tried to top everybody, but I don’t anymore. I realized it was killing conversation. When you’re always trying for a topper, you aren’t really listening. It ruins communication.” —Groucho Marx
7. “A lack of communication leaves fear and doubt.” —Kellan Lutz
 
8. “Quite often people focus more on what they want to say rather than listen to others.” —Curriculum Wadhwani, Communication, YouTube
 
9. “Long-windedness is a key enemy of good communication.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
10. “The most important things to say are those which often I did not think necessary for me to say – because they were too obvious.” —Andre Gide
 
11. “Rule number one: don’t criticize, condemn or complain.” —Dale Carnegie
 
12. “Genuine listening has become a rare gift.” —Diane Schilling, 10 Steps to Effective Listening, Forbes
13. “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you really don’t understand it.” —Richard Feynman
 
14. “The fact is even when face-to-face with another person, in the very same room, and speaking the same language, human communication is incredibly complex.” —Katherine Hampsten, How Miscommunication Happens, Ted-Ed
 
15. “Excessive talkativeness is rooted in our unspoken beliefs… [if] you’re thinking ‘I want people to know I’m smart’ you will most certainly talk too much to prove that.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
Quotes about effective communication
In order to communicate effectively, you have to be mindful of how you deliver your message. Try to spend as much time speaking as you do listening. We put together 16 quotes to help you improve how you communicate.
1. “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes
 
2. “In the rush to express ourselves, it’s easy to forget that communication is a two-way street.” —Katherine Hampsten, How Miscommunication Happens, Ted-Ed
 
3. “When it’s your turn to listen, don’t spend the time planning what to say next. You can’t rehearse and listen at the same time.” —Diane Schilling, 10 Steps to Effective Listening, Forbes
4. “Effective communication is about more than just exchanging information. It’s about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information.” —Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Melinda Smith, Effective Communication
 
5. “The starting place for effective communication is effective listening.” —J. Oncol Pract., Developing Effective Communication Skills
 
6. “Communication is power. Those who have mastered its effective use can change their own experience of the world and the world’s experience of them. All behavior and feelings find their original roots in some form of communication.” —Tony Robbins
7. “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way that we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” —Tony Robbins
 
8. “Pauses at the end [of your sentence] literally punctuate your statements for listeners, and it helps them separate the ideas.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
 
9. “The most precious things in speech are pauses.” —Ralph Richardson
10. “Don’t use flowery language when simple language will do.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
 
11. “Get rid of the clutter so your sentences sound more concise and more confident.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
 
12. “Short sentences pop. They sound much more confident, more concrete, and much more memorable than long-winded sentences.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
13. “How we interpret what we hear is affected by the thoughts that pop up in our minds when we are listening.” —WayForward, Effective Communication, YouTube
 
14. “Effective communication can be broken down into three parts: listening, understanding and responding.” —WayForward, Effective Communication, YouTube
 
15. “When there’s a lot of complexity around the situation or around the issue, you need to make sure that your message includes plenty of clarity, so people understand what this is really about.” —The Latimer Group, The Recipe for Great Communication, YouTube
16. “Don’t assume that your perception is the objective truth. That’ll help you work toward sharing a dialogue with others to reach a common understanding together.” —Katherine Hampsten, How Miscommunication Happens, Ted-Ed
Quotes about communication in relationships
Trust and communication are fundamental to a good relationship. To inspire better communication in your relationships, we put together the following quotes.
Lack of communication in relationships quotes
Lack of communication ruins everything in relationships if you’re not careful to address it early on. Relationships become unhealthy when issues aren’t spoken about and fixed.
1. “Communication is the lifeline of any relationship.” —Elizabeth Bourgeret
 
2. “Lack of communication ruins everything because instead of knowing how the other person is feeling, we just assume.” —Unknown
 
3. “No relationship can prosper without proper communication. And you can’t be the only one communicating.” —Unknown
4. “Without good communication, a relationship is merely a hollow vessel carrying you along a frustrating journey fraught with the perils of confusion, projection, and misunderstanding.” —Cherie Carter-Scott
 
5. “It’s not the lack of love but it’s the lack of communication that make unhappy relationships.” —The Dark Secrets
 
6. “The starting place for effective communication is effective listening. In a relationship when communication starts to fade, everything else follows.” —Unknown
7. “A relationship without communication is just two people.” —Unknown
 
8. “Communication to a relationship is like oxygen is to life. Without it, it dies.” —Tony A. Gaskins Jr.
Quotes about communication in marriage
Communicating well with your husband or wife will help keep your relationship healthy. Speaking with honesty and empathy can be difficult, especially when you’re dealing with life’s challenges. But during stressful times, it’s more important than ever to communicate with love.
1. “Ultimately, the bond of all relationships, whether in marriage or friendship, is communication.” —Oscar Wilde
 
2. “Effective communication in relationships lets us know that we are loved.” —Tony Robbins, How to Communicate in a Relationship
 
3. “Communication in relationships can be the difference between a strong, lifelong partnership or a conflict-filled bond that ends in disappointment.” —Tony Robbins, How to Communicate in a Relationship
4. “Communication is the key to successful relationships.” —Jeanne Phillips
 
5. “Communication in relationships is essential to having a happy, healthy partnership. And it isn’t about making small talk.” —Tony Robbins, How to Communicate in a Relationship
 
6. “A great relationship has great communication. That means knowing how to effectively express yourself and listen properly.” —Stephan Speaks
7. “A beautiful thing happens when we start paying attention to each other. It is by participating more in your relationship that you breathe life into it.” —Steve Maraboli
 
8. “Communication will never be perfect all the time.” —Relationships and Communication, BetterHealth
 
9. “No matter how well you know and love each other, you cannot read your partner’s mind.” —Relationships and Communication, BetterHealth
10. “Don’t assume your partner knows about everything you expect in a relationship. Let him know. A relationship should be based on communication, not on assumption.” —Unknown
 
11. “Empathy is the heart and soul of good listening.” —Diane Schilling, 10 Steps to Effective Listening, Forbes
Communication quotes for couples
Consistent communication with your partner is key if you want to build a strong, healthy relationship with them. These quotes are great for couples who want to perfect their communication skills.
1. “A good relationship starts with good communication.” —Unknown
 
2. “Communication is actually so important. To be able to tell the other what’s on your mind without fighting or arguing.” —Unknown
 
3. “The act of communicating not only helps to meet your needs, but it also helps you to be connected in your relationship.” —Relationships and Communication, BetterHealth
4. “I think for any relationship to be successful, there needs to be loving communication, appreciation, and understanding.” —Miranda Kerr
 
5. “Ask most therapists, and they will tell you that good communication is at the heart of any successful relationship.” —Sophie Winters
 
6. “The desire for better communication pulls you together.” —Diane Schilling, 10 Steps to Effective Listening, Forbes
7. “Conflict avoidance is not the hallmark of a good relationship. On the contrary, it is the symptom of serious problems and poor communication.” —Harriet B. Braiker
Quotes about communication in the workplace
Communication is always important, but especially for work. A communication gap in the workplace can be devastating for any business. Good internal communication allows employees to do the best job they can; it’s an asset to any organization. If you need a reminder of just how crucial communication is in business, here are 11 quotes about workplace communication.
1. “Communicate in a respectful manner—don’t just tell your team members what you want, but explain to them why.” —Jeffrey Morales
 
2. “We are stronger when we listen, and smarter when we share.” —Rania Al-Abdullah
 
3. “Communication is the backbone of an efficient workforce.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
4. “Workplace communication is a powerful tool that can influence the success of an entire organization.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
 
5. “Communication is what makes a team strong.” —Brian McClennan
 
6. “The art of communication is the language of leadership.” —James Humes
7. “Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” —Jim Rohn
 
8. “Speech is our primary means of communication. If it’s important, we tell people about it.” —Brian Knapp
 
9. “Words should be used as tools of communication and not as a substitute for action.” —Anonymous
10. “The more we learn about effective communication, the better we’ll be at leading, as our directive will be better understood.” —Paul Jarvis
 
11. “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.” —Rollo May
Quotes about communication and love
When you have a communication gap with someone you love, it becomes difficult to have a healthy relationship. Love without communication is challenging. Communication is essential if you want to have deep conversations. The following 7 quotes are about how communication affects love.
1. “Love without conversation is impossible.” —Mortimer Alder
 
2. “Without communication both verbally and non-verbally, then the love relationship is not sustainable and cannot grow.” —John Friend
 
3. “I have been in love, and it was a great feeling. But love isn’t enough in a relationship—understanding and communication are very important aspects.” —Yuvraj Singh
4. “Love is a combination of respect, friendship, understanding, communication and companionship.” —Unknown
 
5. “Be as passionate about listening as we are about being heard.” —Brene Brown
 
6. “Communication is merely an exchange of information, but connection is an exchange of our humanity.” —Sean Stephenson
7. “The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.” —Peter Drucker
Positive and inspirational quotes about communication
Communication and success often go hand in hand. By improving how you communicate, you can create positive change in your life. The following 12 motivational quotes will help inspire you to improve your communication.
1. “Every act of communication is a miracle of translation.” —Ken Liu
 
2. “It’s important to make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” —Barack Obama
 
3. “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.” —Tony Robbins
4. “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.” —Dale Carnegie
 
5. “Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” —Anne Morrow Lindbergh
 
6. “A lot of problems in the world would be solved if we talked to each other instead of about each other.” —Nickey Gumbel
7. “If you have nothing to say, say nothing.” —Mark Twain
 
8. “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” —Brian Tracy
 
9. “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” —Plato
Quotes about clear communication
When you communicate, it’s best to be direct. Make sure that there is an understanding between you and whoever you’re speaking to. Communication without comprehension will keep your message from being understood. The following quotes are about communicating clearly.
1. “When you communicate, you need to make sure your message cuts through the clutter.” —Lighthouse Communications, How to Be Clear and Concise, YouTube
 
2. “Be clear about your desires.” —Dr. Asa Don Brown
 
3. “Communication is not about speaking what we think. Communication is about ensuring others hear what we mean.” —Simon Sinek
4. “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” —Nat Turner
 
5. “Communication plays an enormous role in our abilities to solve problems with others.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
 
6. “People who know what they’re talking about don’t need Powerpoint.” —Steve Jobs
7. “Talking simply refers to speaking words and sentences. Sometimes the message is understood; sometimes it is not. Communicating is one step further in the process; it is the sharing of information between two or more people to reach a common understanding.” —Curriculum Wadhwani, Communication, YouTube
Quotes about teamwork and communication
When it comes to teamwork, communication is essential. Failing to give proper feedback to your team or chatting only through only email won’t set you up for success. Inspire more positive communication between you and your team with the following quotes.
1. “In teamwork, silence isn’t golden.” —Mark Sanborn
 
2. “Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication.” —Mike Krzyzewski
 
3. “The kinds of errors that cause plane crashes are invariably errors of teamwork and communication.” —Malcolm Gladwell
4. “Do not underestimate the effect that the quantity and quality of communication will have within a team.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
 
5. “When a team is not actively and effectively communicating, their work is at stake.” —Samantha McDuffee, How to Communicate Effectively, 2021
 
6. “When team members can openly discuss issues, ask for help or clarity, and trust each other and their leaders, they will feel empowered in their roles and as members of the team.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
7. “When team members are able to communicate, they are able to collaborate.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
 
8. “Good communication is vital because it is the foundation of a healthy culture and properly functioning team.” —Carly Gail, Team Communication
Famous quotes about communication
If you are looking for the top quotes about communication, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 7 famous, short quotes about the importance of communication.
1. “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” —Buddha
 
2. “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” —Lee Lacocca
 
3. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” —George Bernard Shaw
4. “Most people have to talk so they won’t hear.” —May Sarton
 
5. “The pen is the tongue of the mind.” —Horace
 
6. “Communication is the sister of leadership.” —John Adair
7. “The meaning of communication is the response you get.” —Tony Robbins
Quotes about leadership and communication
Good communication and good leadership go hand in hand. When you are leading a team, you need to be assertive while treating your team members with understanding and empathy. If you want to improve your professional relationships, consider the following 8 quotes about verbal communication.
1. “How effectively you communicate with others will decide whether or not you are successful as a leader.” —Alison Vidotto, The Impact of Purposeful Communication, 2017
 
2. “The difference between mere management and leadership is communication.” —Winston Churchill
 
3. “Communication is the real work of leadership.” —Nitin Nohria
4. “Great leaders communicate and great communicators lead.” —Simon Sinek
 
5. “Leadership is a way of thinking, a way of acting, and a way of communicating.” —Simon Sinek
 
6. “Great leaders understand that the purpose of their communication must be to inform, inspire, engage, and unite their team.” —Why Your Communication Needs to be Purposeful, YouTube
7. “Leadership is all about communication. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or an extrovert; if you’re going to build a strong workplace, you need to be able to communicate well.” —Alison Vidotto, Effective Communication Needs Purpose, 2015
 
8. “Be sincere. Be brief. Be seated.” —Franklin Roosevelt
Funny communication quotes
The following are 6 funny communication quotes that you can send to your friends or post on Instagram for a laugh.
1. “A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” —Winston Churchill
 
2. “Romeo and Juliet is another example of why communication within a relationship is so crucial.” —Unknown
 
3. “Communication: it’s best to pretend people are actually listening to you.” —Unknown
4. “If we can’t solve it via email, IM, texting, faxing, or phone calls, let’s resort to meeting in person.” —Unknown
 
5. “I’m sorry you find communicating so difficult, next time I’ll read your mind.” —Unknown
 
6. “I love the sound you make when you shut up.” —Unknown
Non-verbal communication quotes
When it comes to communication, body language can reveal your true thoughts and feelings. The following quotes are about communication that takes place without the use of words.
1. “Non-verbal communication is an elaborate secret code that is written nowhere, known by none, and understood by all.” —Edward Sapir
 
2. “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
3. “When listening, remember that words convey only a fraction of the message.” —Diane Schilling, 10 Steps to Effective Listening, Forbes
4. “Confident people smile.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
 
5. “Listen with your eyes and ears, as well as with your gut. Remember that communication is more than just words.” —Katherine Hampsten, How Miscommunication Happens, Ted-Ed
 
6. “You can send the wrong message through body language or tone, which defeats the purpose of your attempt to communicate.” —Samantha McDuffee, How to Communicate Effectively, 2021
7. “Nonverbal cues are so strong because they communicate to others on a subconscious level.” —Yemi Fateli, The Importance of Effective Communication
 
8. “One of the most important factors in communicating with others is our nonverbal communication. We are aware and in control of the words that we speak, but often the nonverbal cues we send may go unnoticed.” —Yemi Fateli, The Importance of Effective Communication
 
9. “The confident, the bright, and the socially dominant look more [with direct eye contact], while it is the opposite for the socially anxious.” —Adrian Furnham, The Secrets of Eye Contact
10. “Distracting non-verbals will diminish or take away from your communication.” —Alex Lyon, Effective Communication Skills, YouTube
Respectful communication quotes
Speaking respectfully to others when we aren’t their biggest fan or don’t agree with what they’re saying isn’t easy. Learning how to use nonviolent communication even when we’re feeling triggered is a valuable skill. Respectful communication works both ways.
1. “Respectful communication under conflict or opposition is an essential and truly awe-inspiring ability.” —Bryant McGill
 
2. “Respectful communication is when we listen carefully and respond kindly to others, even if we disagree with them.” —Respectful Communication Exercise, Empatico
 
3. “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” —Albert Einstein
4. “Successful and respectful communication is a two-way street.” —Baxter Dickson, Respect, 2013
 
5. “Talk to people — not about them.” —Baxter Dickson, Respect, 2013
 
6. “Communicate unto the other person that which you would want him to communicate unto you if your positions were reversed.” —Aaron Goldman
7. “Showing respect through communication is key to developing relationships.” —Baxter Dickson, Respect, 2013
Also, check out these quotes about self-respect.
Purposeful communication quotes
Purposeful communication relates mostly to business. It’s essential for companies to be thoughtful about what they say and how they say it if they want to be successful. Use the following quotes to inspire purposeful communication throughout your company.
1. “Make your communication transparent and authentic, say what you mean and mean what you say.” —Alison Vidotto, Effective Communication Needs Purpose, 2015
 
2. “Purposeful communication is mindful.” —Alison Vidotto, Effective Communication Needs Purpose, 2015
 
3. “Without purpose, your communication lacks focus and direction.” —Why Your Communication Needs to be Purposeful, YouTube
4. “We can actually create fantastic, fantastic relationships through purposeful communication.” —Radical Brilliance, Purposeful Communication, YouTube
 
5. “Be clear in what you mean, be passionate about your purpose, and be transparent in your behavior.” —Alison Vidotto, The Impact of Purposeful Communication, 2017
 
6. “Purposeful communication goes beyond understanding and effectively transmitting ideas. It is more about influence.” —Purposeful Communication, Think-Write
7. “Purposeful communication has very clear objectives; the message being relayed has a job to do.” —Alison Vidotto, Effective Communication Needs Purpose, 2015
You might also find these quotes about small talk interesting.
Common questions
What are 3 important communication skills?
Three important communication skills are active listening, speaking concisely, and reading body language. If you prioritize listening over speaking, are intentional with what you say, and read other peoples’ body language, you can improve the quality of your communication.
