“There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall which is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you.”
- November 30, 1874 – January 24, 1965
- British
- Politician, army officer, writer
- As British Prime Minister during World War II, he led the Allied powers to victory
Quote
“There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall which is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you.”
Explanation
In this humorous quote, Winston Churchill uses two playful metaphors to convey the awkwardness and difficulty of making an after-dinner speech. The first metaphor, climbing a wall that is leaning toward you, suggests a task that is seemingly impossible, as the wall’s tilt would make it harder to scale. The second metaphor, kissing a girl who is leaning away from you, reflects a situation where effort and desire are not reciprocated, making the act difficult and uncomfortable.
Churchill is emphasizing the challenge of speaking in public, particularly after a meal, when the audience is often relaxed and perhaps less attentive. He highlights that, like these two awkward situations, delivering a speech under such circumstances can feel like an uphill battle. Yet, Churchill’s trademark wit here also suggests that it is not an insurmountable challenge—just one that requires skill, confidence, and the right approach.
In a broader sense, this quote humorously points to the difficulty of engaging people’s attention and creating the right conditions for success in any situation. Whether in public speaking, relationships, or other personal challenges, the quote underscores how the dynamics of effort and response play a crucial role. It’s a light-hearted reminder that achieving connection or success requires alignment between intention and circumstances.
