“It's apparent that we can't proceed any further without a name for this institutionalized garrulousness, this psychological patter, this need to catalogue the ego's condition. Let's call it psychobabble, this spirit which now tyrannizes conversation in the seventies.” NeedsSpiritNamesConditionsConversationEgoPsychologicalSeventiesCatalogues Author:Richard Rosen
“And all the times I was picking up potatoes, I did have conversations with them. Too, I did have thinks of all their growing days there in the ground, and all the things they did hear. Earth-voices are glad voices, and earth-songs come up from the ground through the plants; and in their flowering, and in the days before these days are come, they do tell the earth-songs to the wind ... I have thinks these potatoes growing here did have knowings of star-songs.” ThinkingEarthSpiritReligionSongSpiritualityStarsVoiceKnowingGrowingWindConversationPlantCome UpGladThese DaysGardeningPotatoesFlowering Author:Opal Whiteley
“The art of conversation consists far less in displaying much wit oneself than in helping others to be witty: the man who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own wit is very well pleased with you.” SpiritDealsConversationCleverness Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“In part of Lord Kames' Elements of Criticism, he says that "music improves the relish of a banquet." That I deny,--any more than painting might do. They may both be additional pleasures, as well as conversation is, but are perfectly distinct notices; and cannot, with the least propriety, be said to mix or blend with the repast, as none of them serve to raise the flavor of the wine, the sauce, the meat, or help to quicken appetite. But music and painting both add a spirit to devotion, and elevate the ardor.” WellsMaySaidHelpingMightSpiritPleasureMusicLordPaintingConversationElementsCriticismRaisesWineAddDenyDevotionMeatAppetiteFlavorSauceRelishProprietyBanquetsArdor Author:Laurence Sterne
“On the whole, and providing one is in good spirits and feeling reasonably bright, it is not hard to converse for a short space of time on subjects about which one knows little, and it is indeed often amusing to see how cunningly one can steer the conversational barque, hoisting and lowering her sails, tacking this way and that to avoid reefs, and finally racing feverishly for home with the outboard engine making a loud and cheerful noise.” KnowsWayLittlesHardWholeFeelingsHomeSpiritSpaceSubjectsConversationNoiseLoudRacingEnginesProvidingSailCheerfulAmusingSteersConversesReefs Author:Virginia Graham