His conversation does not show the minute hand; but he strikes
the hour very correctly.

His conversation does not show the minute hand; but he strikes
the hour very correctly.

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

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

A dearth of words a woman need not fear;
But 'tis a task indeed to learn to hear:
read more

A dearth of words a woman need not fear;
But 'tis a task indeed to learn to hear:
In that the skill of conversation lies;
That shows and makes you both polite and wise.

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

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

I love any discourse of rivers, and fish and fishing.

I love any discourse of rivers, and fish and fishing.

Conversation is a game of circles.

Conversation is a game of circles.

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.

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.

With good and gentle-humored hearts
I choose to chat where'er I come
Whate'er the subject be that read more

With good and gentle-humored hearts
I choose to chat where'er I come
Whate'er the subject be that starts.
But if I get among the glum
I hold my tongue to tell the truth
And keep my breath to cool my broth.