“The true spirit of conversation consists more in bringing out the cleverness of others than in showing a great deal of it yourself”

—  Jean de La Bruyère, book Les Caractères

16
Les Caractères (1688), De la société et de la conversation
Context: The true spirit of conversation consists more in bringing out the cleverness of others than in showing a great deal of it yourself; he who goes away pleased with himself and his own wit is also greatly pleased with you. Most men would rather please than admire you; they seek less to be instructed, and even to be amused, than to be praised and applauded.

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Jean de La Bruyère65
17th-century French writer and philosopher 1645–1696

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