152+ Speak Up Quotes That Inspire You To Find Your Voice

Reading through these motivational speak up quotes will give you some perspective and help you become a better version of yourself.

Whether it’s encouraging speak up quotes, or simply powerful speak up quotes, taking a few minutes out to reflect is critical. I hope you’ll find something here that helps you to find a new perspective and improve your own life.

I thought I would compile a list of meaningful quotes on speaking up, which may guide you through life

Best Speak Up Quotes

Speak up boldly and with intellect. Never hush your voice for someone’s comfort. Speak your mind, make people uncomfortable.

And then our speaking out will permit other women to speak, until laws change and lives are saved and the world is altered forever. Audrey Lourde

No man can safely speak, unless he who would gladly remain silent. Thomas à Kempis

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Winston Churchill

Don’t be afraid to be unique or speak your mind, because that’s what makes you different from everyone else. Dave Thomas

You should have spoken up sooner. her grandmother answered. No need to bear pain unless you have to. Cynthia Voigt

Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing and wishing you had?

Never hush your voice for someone’s comfort. Terry Pratchett

Be open and speak your mind. Dr. Anil Kumar

If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up. Fred Korematsu

Only by speaking out can we create lasting change.  DaShanne Stokes

You have to speak your mind, but without being cruel. Len Goodman

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. Alice Walker

Learn to speak up and fight for yourself, often people misunderstand silence for weakness.

When you have something to say, silence is a lie and tyranny feeds on lies. Jordan B. Peterson

Waiting your turn is often the worst way to get what you want. John Taylor Gatto

I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. Audre Lorde

Be a voice not an echo. Albert Einstein

Choosing with integrity means finding ways to speak up that honor your reality, the reality of others, and your willingness to meet in the center of that large field. It’s hard sometimes. Terry Tempest Williams

Summon your courage and speak up when you feel the need to. Doe Zantamata

This is slavery, not to speak one’s thought. Euripides

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The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. Coco Chanel

I just sort of became an adult and started speaking up for myself and not apologizing for myself. Fernando Torres

If I sit silently, I have sinned. Mohammad Mossadegh

What makes me vulnerable is speaking up about topics that may be controversial to others. Gabrielle Bernstein

It takes courage to stand up for yourself. I stand in honor and no longer in fear of speaking out. Catherine Jane Fisher

It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent. Madeleine K. Albright

When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak. Audre Lorde

It is more powerful to speak up than to silently resent.

But you know all about that, being sorry and having no words to say something when you know you should but you just can’t. Heather Gudenkauf

For some reasons our culture influences us not to speak up. Mathew Rombach

Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we can begin to speak. Beverly Tatum

What good are words if no one believes them? Rachel L. Schade

But I have learned in the last year, more than ever before, that sometimes we have to be loud. Atia Abawi

Speak the truth. People will forgive an honest mistake; they won’t forgive you if you lie. Mark Goulston

Let’s acknowledge the difference between speaking up with intention and speaking up for attention. Monica Lewinsky

Women speaking up for themselves, and for those around them is the strongest force we have to change the world. Melinda Gates

Just remember to always be yourself and don’t be afraid to speak your mind or to dream out loud. J.A. Redmerski

Taking the time to look to short deep quotes can help keep the flame of positivity burning bright within your life.

Famous Speak Up Quotes

When you have something to say, silence is a lie and tyranny feeds on lies. Jordan B Peterson

Breaking our silence is powerful. Whether it comes as a whisper or a squeak at first, allow that sense of spaciousness, of opening, allow yourself to trust the bottomlessness, and lean into the dark roar which will light up every cell. Lucy H. Pearce

Choosing with integrity means finding ways to speak up that honor your reality, the reality of others, and your willingness to meet in the center of that large field. Terry Tempest Williams

You have to speak your mind and do the stuff that makes you laugh. Joe Rogan

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. Napoleon Hill

Never be afraid to speak your mind, you have one for a reason. Sarah Moores

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men. Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Just remember to always be yourself and do not be afraid to speak your mind to others. JA Redmerski

I am strong and human with a mouth that can work like a man’s and a more intelligible brain, and I demand to be heard. Caroline George

Terrorism will spill over if you don’t speak up. Malala Yousafzai

You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage. John Lewis

Give yourself permission to say no. Do not feel  guilty, mean, or selfish. Stephanie Lahart

The act of speaking out makes you alone. Ravish Kumar

When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.

The audience changes every night. You’re the same person. You have to speak your mind and do the stuff that makes you laugh. Joe Rogan

Group agreement and group silence are equally as deadly. The moment someone speaks up, it’s possible to stop that cycle. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but greatness is never without risk. And there is nothing greater in the whole world than kindness kindness to someone being bullied, kindness to a stranger, kindness to an inured animal. Every act counts. Adriana Mather

The silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph. Haile Selassie

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Staying quiet to keep the peace can be a good thing, but if the peace has already been disturbed, staying quiet won’t make anything better. Doe Zantamata

When you have something to say, silence is a lie—and tyranny feeds on lies. Jordan B. Peterson,  Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people.

Don’t fear confrontation. Fear what happens when you don’t speak up for yourself.

He who does not have the courage to speak up for his rights cannot earn the respect of others.

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence. Leonardo Da Vinci

When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak. Audrey Lourde

I always think before I speak. I always think I think I’ll speak now. The Covert Comic

Speak up. Believe in yourself. Take risks. Sheryl Sandberg

The act of speaking out may make you feel alone. Ravish Kumar

I will stand up, I will speak out for not to offend but to defend. Evelyn Beatrice Hall

Speaking up is important. Yet to speak up without listening is like banging pots and pans together Even if it gets you attention, it’s not going to get you respect. Gina Barreca

I think you look best when you speak from your heart.

What is the source of our first suffering? It lies in the fact that we hesitated to speak. It was born in the moment when we accumulated silent things within us. Gaston Bachelard

I speak up when it’s needed. Torrey Smith

Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel

There’s something so healthy about young people speaking up in unity. Robbie Robertson

When you see corruption, when you see injustice, you speak up. You don’t just shut up and say it’s none of my business. Manal Al Sharif

Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Stephen King

We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t. Audre Lorde

Speak up, be heard. If you don’t say a word, everything will stay the same way.

Giggles can spread from person to person. So can blushing. But maybe the most powerful, infectious thing is the act of speaking the truth. Vera Nazarian

Using your voice in ways that might initially scare you. That can be being an architect of change. Maria Shriver

Stop holding your truth; speak your truth. Tiffany Haddish

Not speaking up against pure evil is equal to cooperating with it. Constance Chuks Friday

I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. Audre Lourde

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Elie Wiesel

We talk a lot about our right to freedom of expression, but on this day we need to talk more about our responsibility to freedom of expression. Monica Lewinsky

When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something. John Lewis

These inspiring reflection quotes will uplift you and prepare you for what lies ahead.

Powerful Speak Up Quotes

The speaking will get easier and easier. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don’t miss them. Audre Lorde

I take a deep breath and sidestep my fear and begin speaking from the place where beauty and bravery meet within the chambers of a quivering heart. Terry Tempest Williams

Be humble: have the courage to speak the truth. Ken Poirot

Give yourself permission to say NO. Do not feel guilty, mean, or selfish. Stephanie Lahart

If we do not acknowledge our collective trauma, how can we ever heal from it? When we speak, when we share, we can change things. Maybe even change the world. Seth King

Speak up, because the day you don’t speak up for the things that matter to you is the day your freedom truly ends.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

What is the source of our first suffering? It lies in the fact that we hesitated to speak. It was born in the moment when we accumulated silent things within us. Gaton Bachelard

I will stand up, I will speak out for not to offend but to defend.

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I don’t know if you realise how you speak to people sometimes, the way you feed people table scraps. I know that’s that what I get from you, table scraps, but because it’s scraps from your table, it’s better than a  course meal with someone else. And you’ve given me glimpses into your life, your real life, and I wonder if it’s your fault. I wonder if you’ve got anything but scraps to give. Eliza Clark

If you feel something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up. Fred Korematsu

Just speak yourself into existence. Nick Cannon

We can learn to work and speak when we are afraid in the same way we have learned to work and speak when we are tired. Audre Lorde

Don’t let the fear of what people might think to stop you from speaking your mind, speak up, you deserve to be heard.

Every voice raised against racism chips away at its power. We can’t afford to stay silent. Reni Eddo-Lodge

Speak up! We live in a democracy. We all need to make sure our voices are heard and our opinions are known.

The words sounded silly and naïve, but that didn’t mean they weren’t worth speaking. Hannah Heath

Speak your mind even though your voice shakes. Eleanor Roosevelt

Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind  even if your voice shakes. Maggie Kuhn

To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against or one might believe that you support things you really do not. Germany Kent

Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. Thurgood Marshall

In the end, we remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that really matter.

A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

If you speak up, be ready to back it up; otherwise just shut up.

Problem is, life is not karaoke booth. Malena Watrous

If you are not going to speak up, how will the world know of your existence? Anonymous

He who does not have the courage to speak up for his rights can not earn the respect of others. Rene Dubos

If you’re not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist?

A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Your words have great power. Speak up and use them to support and inspire.

Never separate the life you live from the words you speak. Paul Wellstone

Staying quiet to keep the peace can be a good thing, but if the peace has already been disturbed, staying quiet won’t make anything better. Summon your courage and speak up when you feel the need to.

Sometimes Truth cannot be silenced. Rachel L. Schade

Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out. Dashanne Stokes

It’s not unpatriotic to denounce an injustice committed on our behalf, perhaps it’s the most patriotic thing we can do. E.A. Bucchianeri

Speak up, stand up, and keep correcting the false perceptions. Stay true to your heart’s views and keep chanting for peace and justice.

It’s just that I am not afraid to speak my mind. Alan Sugar

Many of life lessons and experience condense wisdom into motivating authenticity quotes that are meaningful and inspirational.

Inspirational Speak Up Quotes

It is always the best policy to speak the truth. Jerome K. Jerome

Women speaking up for themselves and for those around them is the strongest force we have to change the world. Melinda Gates

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Do not be silent; there is no limit to the power that may be released through you. Howard Thurman, Deep Is the Hunger

Don’t be afraid to speak up. Some people may not appreciate your opinion. Others may criticize you for it. But the ones who really matter in your life will respect you for it.

The greatest talent one can have is learning when to speak and when to not. Bryant A. Loney

Let today mark a new beginning for you. Give yourself permission to say no without feeling guilty, mean, or selfish. Anybody who gets upset and or expects you to say yes all of the time clearly doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Always remember You have a right to say no without having to explain yourself. Be at peace with your decisions. Stephanie Lahart

If you don’t like it, say something. Joyce Rachelle

My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you. Audre Lorde

There’s a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up. Malala Yousafzai

The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict. Martin Luther King Jr.

A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.

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Don’t be afraid of speaking your mind because that is what makes you different from the rest. Dave Thomas

When God grabs you by the scruff of the neck then although theoretically you have a freedom to say no, in another sense, actually, you can’t say no because it’s like Jeremiah. God, you have cheated me. You called me to be a prophet against the people that I love, and all that I proclaim is words of doom and judgement. And yet if I say I will shut up, I can’t. Desmond Tutu

If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity. Albert Einstein

I will not stay silent so that you can stay comfortable.

I spoke to you in a language that only you may understand, but I was so naïve to never realize that you cannot teach a person what he has never had an aim to learn. Samiha Totanji

We can learn to work and speak when we are afraid in the same way we learn to work and speak when we are tired. Audre Lorde

I’ve learned the importance of speaking up for myself and voicing my opinions and my ideas. I’m definitely a shy person. Fiona Gubelmann

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill

Someone has to stand up and speak for the freedoms of the little guy. Christopher Monckton

When I know who I am, I will most likely know what my voice needs to say. Karl Forehand

Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly. Mahatma Gandhi

The only people who are mad at you for speaking up about the truth are those people who are living a lie. Keep speaking the truth.

Speak the truth, or it will reveal itself. Titon Rahmawan

I am strong and human with a mouth that works like a man’s and a more intelligible brain, and I demand to be heard. Caroline George

Gone was the memory of Leanne and the team; gone was the inner voice telling her to keep cool, to shut the hell up and get out of there. Inside her brain, heat swelled, fused into quantum thermodynamics, and exploded. Beth Goobie

To say nothing is saying something. Germany Kent

Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Fight for the rights of others. Because one day you may need someone to speak up for you. Jeanette Coron

I always think before I speak. I always think: ‘I think I’ll speak now.’ The Covert Comic

In one study investigating employee experiences with speaking up, % of respondents reported at least one occasion when they felt unable to raise a concern with their bosses, even though they believed the issue was important. Amy C. Edmondson

Terrorism will spill over if you do not speak up. Malala Yousafzai

Speaking up, especially in childhood, is one of the hardest acts a person can do. It requires immense courage and sacrifice. Jennifer Fraser

It is always the best policy to speak the truth. Jerome K. Jerome

Let famous pay it forward quotes make a profound positive impact in your life.