There are three things in speech that ought to be considered before
some things are spoken--the manner, the place and the time.--SOUTHEY.

The secret of tiring is to say everything that can be said on the
subject.--VOLTAIRE.

Speak little and well if you wish to be considered as possessing
merit.--FROM THE FRENCH.

The less men think, the more they talk.--MONTESQUIEU.

He who sedulously attends, pointedly asks, calmly speaks, coolly
answers, and ceases when he has no more to say, is in possession of
some of the best requisites of man.--LAVATER.

Amongst such as out of cunning hear all and talk little, be sure to
talk less; or if you must talk, say little.--LA BRUYERE.

Not only to say the right thing in the right place, but, far more
difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting
moment.--G.A. SALA.

When we are in the company of sensible men, we ought to be doubly
cautious of talking too much, lest we lose two good things, their good
opinion and our own improvement; for what we have to say we know, but
what they have to say we know not.--COLTON.

Never hold any one by the button or the hand in order to be heard out;
for if people are unwilling to hear you, you had better hold your
tongue than them.--CHESTERFIELD.

There is speaking well, speaking easily, speaking justly and speaking
seasonably: It is offending against the last, to speak of
entertainments before the indigent; of sound limbs and health before
the infirm; of houses and lands before one who has not so much as a
dwelling; in a word, to speak of your prosperity before the miserable;
this conversation is cruel, and the comparison which naturally arises
in them betwixt their condition and yours is excruciating.
--LA BRUYERE.

Egotists cannot converse, they talk to themselves only.--A. BRONSON
ALCOTT.

The extreme pleasure we take in talking of ourselves should make
us fear that we give very little to those who listen to us.
--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

Many can argue, not many converse.--A. BRONSON ALCOTT.

One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and
agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who does
not think more of what he is about to say than of answering precisely
what is said to him.--LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.

The first ingredient in conversation is truth, the next good sense,
the third good humor, and the fourth wit.

It is a secret known but to few, yet of no small use in the conduct