I never, with important air,
In conversation overbear.
. . . .
My tongue read more

I never, with important air,
In conversation overbear.
. . . .
My tongue within my lips I rein;
For who talks much must talk in vain.

Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.

Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.

The difficulty with this conversation is that it's very different from most of the ones I've had of late. Which, read more

The difficulty with this conversation is that it's very different from most of the ones I've had of late. Which, as I explained, have mostly been with trees.

Form'd by thy converse, happily steer
From grave to gay, from lively to severe.

Form'd by thy converse, happily steer
From grave to gay, from lively to severe.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule read more

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits.

It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much.

It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much.

Do you ever think if people heard our conversations they'd lock us up?" All the time.

Do you ever think if people heard our conversations they'd lock us up?" All the time.

With thee conversing I forget all time:
All seasons and their change, all please alike.

With thee conversing I forget all time:
All seasons and their change, all please alike.