# Quote — Tom Heehler, The Well-Spoken Thesaurus

> As important as your words are in shaping your behavior, they are even more important in the way they shape the behavior of others. Your manner of speaking is, if nothing else, the central factor upon which people form assumptions about you. Whatever is your ultimate goal in life, chances are good you're going to have to talk your way to it. And if greatness is your goal, well-spoken words are essential. Think about it. From Homer to Hemingway, Lincoln, Churchill, King, and both Obamas - their words are why we know them.

- Author: [Tom Heehler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler.md)
- Book: [The Well-Spoken Thesaurus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler/the-well-spoken-thesaurus.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Tom_Heehler#The_Well-Spoken_Thesaurus_(2011)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler/the-well-spoken-thesaurus/as-important-as-your

## More from this book

> Big professorial words are good to know but not necessarily use at every turn. Try not to serve vichyssois to a coal miner, and do not give Cheerios to the queen of England. Neither will be amused.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler/the-well-spoken-thesaurus/big-professorial-words.md)

> Fear not the tyrant; fear the tyrant's wake.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler/the-well-spoken-thesaurus/fear-not-the.md)

> The educated don't get that way by memorizing facts; they get that way by respecting them.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-heehler/the-well-spoken-thesaurus/the-educated-dont.md)