Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.

Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.

Men of great conversational powers almost universally practise a
sort of lively sophistry and exaggeration which deceives for the read more

Men of great conversational powers almost universally practise a
sort of lively sophistry and exaggeration which deceives for the
moment both themselves and their auditors.

The Holy Land needs bridges, not walls.

The Holy Land needs bridges, not walls.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like read more

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs,
Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.

A single conversation across the table with a wise person is worth a month's study of books

A single conversation across the table with a wise person is worth a month's study of books

Conversation is an art in which man has all mankind for competitors.

Conversation is an art in which man has all mankind for competitors.

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule read more

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits.

They would talk of nothing but high life and high-lived company,
with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, read more

They would talk of nothing but high life and high-lived company,
with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste,
Shakespeare, and the musical glasses.