The worst part of an eminent man's conversation is, nine…
“The worst part of an eminent man's conversation is, nine times out of ten, to be found in that part by which he means to be clever.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cleverness often masks emptiness, making conversation shallow and pretentious.
In simple terms: Clever talk can hide lack of substance.
Value substance over showy wit.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Debates
- public speaking
- social gatherings
- writing critique
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does wit enhance rather than diminish dialogue?
- How can we encourage genuine insight?
Clever remarks may still be meaningful.