Jesse Ball Quotes

In the normal flow of a conversation, our attention is divided. We hear parts of what other people are saying, in order to follow and keep the conversation going. At the same time, we're planning what we'll say next, some exciting story of our own.

Language commonly stresses only one side of any interaction.

Whenever you speak to someone, you are presuming the two of you have a certain degree of familiarity - which your words might alter. So every sentence has to do two things at once: convey a message and continue to negotiate that relationship.

For most women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport: a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships.

Watch how you communicate with a woman. Because you're always communicating, even when you're not talking - with your body language, your facial expressions, your eyes.

I strike up conversations all the time and it is very interesting, finding out about things I know nothing about.

Women communicate with all their senses. Men don't do that.

I'm always interested in how people use language to not say what they mean.

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.

% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.

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.

Most English talk is a quadrille in a sentry-box.

Good dialogue illuminates what people are not saying

In a conversation, keep in mind that you're more interested in what you have to say than anyone else is.

Conversation is not a search after knowledge, but an endeavor at effect.

They talked aimlessly back and forth, each speaking for the other.

Whether in conversation we generally agree or disagree with others is largely a matter of habit: the one tendency makes as much sense as the other.

Conversation is a game of circles.

Those who talk loudly are rarely listened to.

Cat talk is a complicated, self-centered language. If you speak to your cat first, it probably won't speak back. Cats initiate conversations.

There are prating coxcombs in the world who would rather talk than listen, although Shakespeare himself were the orator, and human nature the theme!

Conversation is good - you might not agree with everyone, but at least it gives you a chance to contemplate someone else's ideas.

Talk is a pure art. Its only limits are the patience of listeners who, when they get tired, can always pay for their coffee or change it with a friendly waiter and walk out.

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

I just think people overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.