Communication Quote by John Dryden
“Repartee is the soul of conversation.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Conquest of Granada, 1670
Witty repartee energizes dialogue and reveals character depth.
In simple terms: Clever back‑and‑forth makes conversation lively and revealing.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate quick, thoughtful responses.
Themes
communication
humor
intelligence
social interaction
literature
Mood
playful
analytical
Type
literary
conversational
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- debates
- improvisational theater
- teaching
Key Concepts
rhetoric
dialogue theory
performance arts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you improve your repartee?
- When does humor enhance a conversation?
A Different Perspective
Wit can alienate if misunderstood.
![“Beneath the surface of repartee and mock seriousness, [Plato's Phaedrus] is asking whether we ought to prefer a neuter form of speech to the kind which is ever getting us aroused over things and provoking an expense of spirit.” quote by Richard M. Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da2/richard-m-weaver-7447_asking_beneath-the-surface-of-repartee-and-mock_1324161.jpg)
