Questions are frequently indicative of superiority or indiscretion; for this reason, they are generally disagreeable. The most merciless questioners are justly suspected of idleness or vanity.

A questioner is sometimes one who is really desirous of obtaining information; but more usually he assumes ignorance in order to display his own knowledge.

Whoever speaks upon those subjects which he is aware will tend to make another uneasy in company, is an ill-bred

person. Swift.

No reply can well be made to flattery. Nothing is more embarrassing to a sensible person, than to be directly addressed with laudatory expressions, whether merited or not.

The spirit of contradiction is a great fault in the character; it never finds favor in society.

Wit is the most agreeable talent for conversation; but, as it is exceedingly rare, many

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substitute jesting and raillery for it; as when an expensive article of dress becomes fashionable, those who have not the means of procur ing it, content themselves with a poor imi

tation.

The most certain mode of pleasing many individuals, is to praise them for qualities which they do not possess, but which they nevertheless pretend to.

A positive tone is ridiculous; if you are right, it lessens your triumph; if you are wrong, it adds to the shame of your defeat.

Whatever is said in a moment of passion, is almost always regretted.

Foppery in speech is as common and as ridiculous as foppery in dress.

The most beautiful sentiments are comparatively worthless, if badly expressed.

Flatterers are the most easily duped by flattery.

Jesting is a string of words without ideas,a volubility which causes fools to laugh, scandalizes reason, disconcerts honest or timid men, and renders society insupportable.

Ideas ought to be, as much as possible, the exact representatives of things, and words should be the true and lively images of ideas.

Those who force their words into antitheses, resemble architects who construct false windows for the sake of symmetry.

Women, however lovely they may be in person, rarely excite true admiration, if they are ignorant of the art of conversing well.

A friend too censorious is to be preferred to one too complaisant. The former often speaks the truth, while the latter is constantly dissimulating.

The more you know, the more modest you should be. Even where you are sure, seem rather doubtful; represent, but do not pronounce; and if you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.

The talent of turning into ridicule and exposing to laughter those one converses with, is the qualification of ungenerous, little-minded Spectator.

men.

Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever makes the fewest persons uneasy, is the best bred man in company. Swift.

By reading, we enjoy the dead; by conversation, the living; and by contemplation, ourselves. Reading enriches the memory, conversation polishes the wit, and contemplation improves the judgment. - Lacon.

Great talents for conversation should be accompanied with great politeness. He who eclipses others, owes them civility; and, whatever a mistaken vanity may tell us, it is better to please in conversation than to shine in it. The Preceptor.

Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit. It shows virtue in the fairest light, hides in some measure the deformity of

vice, and makes even folly and impertinence almost supportable. Spectator.

From social intercourse are derived some of the highest enjoyments of life. Where there is a free interchange of sentiment, the mind acquires new ideas; and by a frequent exercise of its powers, the understanding gains fresh vigor. Addison.

Locke was once asked, how he had contrived to accumulate a mine of knowledge so rich, deep and extensive. He replied, that he attributed what little he knew, to the not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to the rule he had adopted, of conversing with all descriptions of men, on those topics, chiefly, that formed their own peculiar professions or pursuits.

The silent hatred of the vicious will do less harm than their conversation.

you

There is no conversation more agreeable than that of the man of integrity, who hears without any intention to betray, and speaks without any intention to deceive.