Improving Our Talking Life : Page 24

In short, it seems true to say that conversation is the most complete single expression of one's personality. It is the mirror of a person's and a group's and a country's sum total of decency, knowledge, and culture — their explicit, composite character. Hence, it is the duty and the lifelong job of everyone to keep raising its tone and liveliness — in himself and in his community. Within the boundaries of one's intelligence, everyone can improve his conversation in several ways. He can improve it technically — in grammar and rhetoric, diction and voice; in variety, richness, and liveliness; and, most importantly, in what St. Paul calls "gracious-ness," in Christian lovableness and good taste, so that whether he talks or listens, people are glad of it, and are better off for his being there.