The great secret of succeeding in conversation is to…
“The great secret of succeeding in conversation is to admire little, to hear much; always to distrust our own reason, and sometimes that of our friends; never to pretend to wit, but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can; to hearken to what is said and to answer to the purpose.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Effective conversation requires humility, listening, questioning one's own assumptions, and highlighting others' ideas.
In simple terms: Listen, doubt yourself, uplift others.
Key Takeaway
Practice active listening and humility.
Themes
communication
humility
listening
self‑reflection
collaboration
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- networking events
- conflict resolution
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
critical thinking
empathy
dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance listening with sharing your own ideas?
- When does highlighting others become self‑promotion?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on others may suppress personal contribution.