Laura Riding Quotes

One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody's listening.

The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.

The one seeks a midwife to deliver his thoughts, the other, someone to assist: thus a good conversation comes into being.

Where there are so many, all speech becomes a debate without end. But two together may perhaps find wisdom.

Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness.

In order to practice dialogue, you need to be able to set aside your assumptions and try to listen more than you want to talk. It's not always politically correct to be able to do that, but it can give you a better sense of the reality.

All talking is good, negative and positive. Stabbing is bad; talking is good.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

...every monologue sooner or later becomes a discussion.

What happens when two people talk? That is really the basic question here, because, that's the basic context in which all persuasion takes place.

To talk to each other is but a more animated and an audible thinking.

It's a strange thing, to be talked about instead of talked to.

Converse, converse, CONVERSE, with living men, face to face, mind to mind-that is one of the best sources of knowledge.

If you start trying to communicate ideas, I think you don't allow the audience to see themselves.

We belong to talking, not what talking is about... Stop talking - and you are out. Silence equals exclusion.

Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.

I like roundtables because you can talk more directly to people. And you also can get kind of a vibe on what a journalist's take is on something, and have a conversation with them more.

Silence is one of the great arts of conversation.

Two great talkers will not travel far together.

The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.

A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.

Dialogue means debates and everyone's point of view.

I love conversation and the sharing of different thoughts and philosophies. That kind of stuff always makes me happy. I don't mind interviews, either - I like doing them.

There is no such thing as a worthless conversation, provided you know what to listen for. And questions are the breath of life for a conversation.

Never fail to know that if you are doing all the talking, you are boring somebody.