Religion is by no means a proper subject of conversation in a mixed company.
--
Letter to his godson, No.112 (undated).Philip Stanhope
» Philip Stanhope - all quotes »
In mixed company, be readier to hear than to speak, and put people upon talking of what is in their own way; for then you will both oblige them, and be most likely to improve by their conversation.
James Burgh
Conversation injures more than it benefits. Men talk to escape from themselves, from sheer dread of silence. Reflection makes them uncomfortable, and they find distraction in a noise of words. They seek not the company of those who might enlighten and improve them, but that of whoever can divert and amuse them. Thus the intercourse which ought to be a chief means of education, is for the most part, the occasion of mental and moral enfeeblement.
John Lancaster Spalding
The smaller the company, the larger the conversation.
John Lancaster Spalding
In some lyceums they tell me that they have voted to exclude the subject of religion. But how do I know what their religion is, and when I am near to or far from it? I have walked into such an arena and done my best to make a clean breast of what religion I have experienced, and the audience never suspected what I was about.
Henry David Thoreau
And surely one of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid…
Jonathan Swift
Stanhope, Philip, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Stankovic, John A.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z