“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
-Plato
The art of conversation is one of the most essential pre-requisites of a good personality. However, it is not all about how you say. It is what you say that matters more. You will find fools with most enticing voice and the most extraordinarily wise people with ordinary oratory skills. Nevertheless, nothing can be better than the combination of an emphatic voice and profound thoughts. The good thing is that diction and voice can always be improved with practice.
The speech delivery is an essential part of any good conversation but it cannot make for the content of the speech. Most great personalities are blessed with superb conversational skills.
Thorough knowledge, logical capabilities, calm yet firm demeanor and clarity of thoughts are essential ingredients of a good speech. You should always speak with audience in mind and not merely, what you want to say. Whether it is public speech or a personal conversation, you must know the interest of your listeners. Therefore, learning to speak to the occasion is of paramount importance.
Never commit the folly of flaunting half knowledge. Speaking out of turn and boasting exposes a weak character. A good conversation is always measured. Always prepare before speaking on public platforms. Expressing more in fewer words is considered as a cherished quality. As Pythagoras has stated, “Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in a few.” Speak less, listen more, show-off less, and read more should be your mantra. Interspersing your elocution with too many facts can make it boring. There is no doubt that knowledge lends weight to any articulation but you must bear in mind the caliber and taste of your audience. There is no better coaching center for learning the art of conversation than life itself. Begin with mundane conversations with friends, colleagues and family members. Your first test is to convey yourself to them in an efficient manner. Learn as much as you can to become an eloquent orator. Appealing to the interest of the listeners is at the core of good conversational skills. You should be miserly with words and brief in the discourse. Remember when you talk you are only repeating what you already know, but if you listen you may learn something new.
The wiser a man is, the less talkative will he be. Loquacious persons often make a fool of themselves whereas those who speak in lesser words gain respect. Your utterance has value only until it interests the audience. No person thinks he is a fool. Humans can judge the world only through knowledge and experience. But, try not to impose your perspective on others.
Written by: Dr. Praveen Tiwari