8.  The faculty of interchanging our thoughts with one another, or what we express by the word conversation, has always been represented by moral writers, as one of the noblest privileges of reason, and which more particularly sets mankind above the brute part of the creation.

Though nothing so much gains upon the affections as this extempore eloquence, which we have constantly occasion for, and are obliged to practice every day, we very rarely meet with any who excel in it.

9.  The conversation of most men is disagreeable, not so much for want of wit and learning, as of good-breeding and discretion.

It is not in every man’s power, perhaps, to have fine parts, say witty things, or tell a story agreeably; but every man may be polite if he pleases, at least to a certain degree.  Politeness has infinitely more power to make us esteemed, and our company sought after, than the most extraordinary parts or attainments we can be master of.  These seldom fail to create envy, and envy has always some ill will in it.

10.  If you resolve to please never speak to gratify any particular vanity or passion of your own, but always with a design either to divert or inform the company.  A man who only aims at one of these, is always easy in his discourse.  He is never out of humour at being interrupted, because he considers that those who hear him are the best judges whether what he was saying would either divert or inform him.

A modest person seldom fails to gain the good will of those he converses with, because nobody envies a man who does not appear to be pleased with himself.

11.  We should talk extremely little of ourselves.  Indeed what can we say?  It would be as imprudent to discover faults, as ridiculous to count over our fancied virtues.  Our private and domestic affairs are no less improper to be introduced in conversation.  What does it concern the company how many horses you keep in your stables? or whether your servant is most knave or fool?

12.  A man may equally affront the company he is in, by engrossing all the talk, or observing a contemptuous silence.

Conform yourself to the taste, character, and present humours of the persons you converse with; not but a person must follow his talent in conversation.  Do not force nature; no one ever did it with success.

If you have not a talent for humour, or raillery, or story-telling, never attempt them.

13.  Contain yourself also within the bounds of what you know; and never talk of things you are ignorant of, unless it be with a view to inform yourself.  A person cannot fail in the observance of this rule, without making himself ridiculous; and yet how often do we see it transgressed!  Some, who on war or politics could talk very well, will be perpetually haranguing on works of genius and the belles letters; others who are capable of reasoning, and would make a figure in grave discourse, will yet constantly aim at humour and pleasantry, though with the worst grace imaginable.  Hence it is, that we see a man of merit sometimes appear like a coxcomb, and hear a man of genius talk like a fool.