“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.”

The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 8, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "In mixed company, be readier to hear than to speak, and put people upon talking of what is in their own way; for then y…" by James Burgh?

James Burgh49

British politician 1714–1775

Related quotes

“Religion is by no means a proper subject of conversation in a mixed company.”

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) British statesman and man of letters

Letter to his godson, No.112 (undated)

“Above all avoid speaking of persons, either in the way of praise or blame, or comparison. If you can, win over the conversation of your company to what it should be by your own. But if you should find yourself cut off without escape among strangers and aliens, be silent.”

Epictetus (50–138) philosopher from Ancient Greece

Golden Sayings of Epictetus
Context: Let silence be your general rule; or say only what is necessary and in few words. We shall, however, when occasion demands, enter into discourse sparingly, avoiding such common topics as gladiators, horse-races, athletes; and the perpetual talk about food and drink. Above all avoid speaking of persons, either in the way of praise or blame, or comparison. If you can, win over the conversation of your company to what it should be by your own. But if you should find yourself cut off without escape among strangers and aliens, be silent. (164).

“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 (1840–1916) Catholic bishop

Source: Aphorisms and Reflections (1901), p. 155

“People hear you on the level you speak to them from. Speak from your heart, and they will hear with theirs.”

Marianne Williamson (1952) American writer

“If you happen into company where the talk runs into party, obscemty, scandal, folly, or vice of any kind, you had better pass for morose or unsocial, among people whose good opinion is not worth having, than shock your own conscience by joining in conversation which you must disapprove of.”

James Burgh (1714–1775) British politician

The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

“Deep learning will make you acceptable to the learned; but it is only an obliging and easy behaviour, and entertaining conversation, that will make you agreeable to all companies.”

James Burgh (1714–1775) British politician

The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

“Light travels faster than sound. Isn't that why people appear bright before you hear them speak?”

Steven Wright (1955) American actor and author

“Two may talk and one may hear, but three cannot take part in a conversation of the most sincere and searching sort.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

1840s, Essays: First Series (1841), Friendship

“Bad companies are destroyed by crisis, Good companies survive them, Great companies are improved by them.”

Andrew S. Grove (1936–2016) Hungarian-born American businessman, engineer, and author

Andy Grove, December 1994; cited in: Albert Yu (1998) Creating the digital future. p. 93 : After the Pentium Processor flaw in December 1994
1980s - 1990s

“We all know that light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

“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.”

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

James Burgh49

Related quotes

Related topics