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As Johnson said of the great orator and proponent of reconciliation with the Colonies, "Burke's talk is the ebullition of his mind; he does not talk from a desire of distinction, but because his mind is full" (Boswell's Life of Johnson, op. cit., p. 456). Of course, as the Parable of the Talents suggests, not everyone can get as much into his mind as Burke or Johnson or Goethe. Not everyone has the talents to become a brilliant conversationalist. Nevertheless, each within his own capacity can greatly improve his conversation and become more interesting company, if he will make a real effort to play and to work at a variety of things, to observe carefully, to read intelligently and widely, and to think about it all to the full extent of the talents God gave him. It is a moral as well as a social duty to use one's talents in this respect to the utmost. And the rewards will be a richer personality, a fuller life, and more joy in, and for, one's fellow man. |
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