what's the greatest speech that was ever made ?..and who's the greatest public speaker of all time ? ( Archived) (29)

I always thought Bill Clinton was the greatest public speaker in my lifetime. The dude had the touch.

The greatest speech I ever heard in person was at baseball practice in college. It was a one on one speech. Basically my coach told me to focus in practice, practice 110 percent, and do everything in practice perfect so that when game time rolled around, everything would be reactionary and come naturally. He was right. Apparently he thought I had too much talent and let me know when he saw me goof around a bit. Doing things right should be a habit, not a once in a while thing, but an all the time thing.

Anyways, as far as historical great speeches. I like the Inaugrual Address of John F. Kennedy in 1961; "Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own."

Of course Martin Luther King's March on Washington speech is timeless as well.

O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind and whose breath
gives life to all the world, hear me. I come before you, one of your
many children. I am weak and small. I need your strength and
wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the
red and purple sunset; my ears sharp so I may hear your voice.
Make me wise, so I may learn the things you have taught my people;
the lessons you have hidden under every rock and leaf. I seek
strength not to be superior to others, but to come to you with clean
hands and straight eyes, so whenever life fades, like the fading
sunset, my spirit will come to you without shame.

-- Chief Yellow Lark Blackfoot

A democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.
Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Benjamin Franklin