The ancient Roman rhetorician Quintilian gave aspiring speakers this advice: “The orator must above all things study morality and must obtain a thorough knowledge of all that is just and honorable, without which no one can either be a good man or an able speaker.”¹ His enduring idea—that a good speaker is a good person speaking well—is as true today as it was then.

What Quintilian called morality we now more commonly refer to as ethics. Ethics is a system of principles that defines what is right or wrong, moral or immoral, about a belief or action. Ethical questions arise in every rhetorical situation when you make decisions about how to present yourself, interact with and adapt to your audience, and select strategies to achieve your purpose.

Ethics matters. And the very best speakers are committed to ethical decision making when developing and delivering their presentations. They speak honestly and keep the interests of audience members foremost in their minds. Remember that ethical decision making arises from your attitudes, beliefs, and values. Those ethical principles should guide how you approach every rhetorical situation and decision, including how you use and cite sources and how you use generative artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.