For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?

For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?

Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their read more

Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement.

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

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

With thee conversing I forget the way.

With thee conversing I forget the way.

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

And when you stick on conversation's burs,
Don't strew your pathway with those dreadful urs.

And when you stick on conversation's burs,
Don't strew your pathway with those dreadful urs.

(Salerio:) . . . if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her
word.
(Solanio:) I would read more

(Salerio:) . . . if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her
word.
(Solanio:) I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever
knapped ginger or made her neighbors believe she wept for the
death of a third husband.

In conversation avoid the extremes of forwardness and reserve.

In conversation avoid the extremes of forwardness and reserve.

Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility.

Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility.