William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Part I |
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| Rules of Conversation |
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| 128. Avoid Company where it is not profitable or necessary; and in those Occasions speak little, and last. | 1 |
| 129. Silence is Wisdom, where Speaking is Folly; and always safe. | 2 |
| 130. Some are so Foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer; which is uncivil as well as silly. | 3 |
| 131. If thou thinkest twice, before thou speakest once, thou wilt speak twice the better for it. | 4 |
| 132. Better say nothing than not to the Purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. | 5 |
| 133. In all Debates, let Truth be thy Aim, not Victory, or an unjust Interest: And endeavor to gain, rather than to expose thy Antagonist. | 6 |
| 134. Give no Advantage in Argument, nor lose any that is offered. This is a Benefit which arises from Temper. | 7 |
| 135. Don’t use thy self to dispute against thine own Judgment, to shew Wit, lest it prepare thee to be too indifferent about what is Right: Nor against another Man, to vex him, or for mere Trial of Skill; since to inform, or to be informed, ought to be the End of all Conferences. | 8 |
| 136. Men are too apt to be concerned for their Credit, more than for the Cause. | 9 |
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