Our young people, raised under the old rules of courtesy…
““Our young people, raised under the old rules of courtesy, never indulged in the present habit of talking incessantly and all at the same time. To do so would have been not only impolite, but foolish; for poise, so much admired as a social grace, could not be accompanied by restlessness. Pauses were acknowledged gracefully and did not cause lack of ease or embarrassment.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Constant multitalk erodes poise and social grace; thoughtful pauses maintain respect and ease.
In simple terms: Talking nonstop hurts politeness.
Value pauses in conversation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- meetings
- family dinners
- online chats
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do pauses affect listening?
- Can silence improve dialogue?
People may view pauses as awkward.