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White lies, polite lies [ Reading & Writing / Communication ]
… Abstract ‘I wish that word fib was banished from the English language, and white lie drummed out after it,’ exclaim s Miss Clarendon, a scrupulously honest character in Maria … Subjects, ed. Roy J. Defferrari (Catholic University Press, 1952), ch. 2, p. 54, 86. In his Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Samuel Johnson defined the ‘lie’ variously as either a ‘criminal falsehood’, a ‘charge of falsehood’ or … asserts the ‘corporeal component’ of the code of politeness: ‘its rules not only impose the wittiest possible use of language but also demand firm control of the polite person’s creatureliness’ (113). The body may serve as an indicator of …
Conversation | Falsehood | Lies | Politeness
Encyclopedia
On Conversation (1790) [ Practices ]
… the traveller can scarcely mark its ruggedness. Happy are a people, so fond of talking as the French, in possessing a language modelled to all the charming purposes of conversation. Then turn of expression is a dress that hangs so … may be familiar and common to a French ear; but how much ingenuity must we allow to a people who have formed a language, of which the common-place phrases give you the idea of wit! … "In every country it is social pleasure that … the traveller can scarcely mark its ruggedness. Happy are a people, so fond of talking as the French, in possessing a language modelled to all the charming purposes of conversation." … France … Conversation … Text: Helen Maria Williams …
France | Conversation
Anthology
Characteristicks, of men, manners, opinions, times, 1711 [ ]
… to any thing like it in good Company. The least mention of such matters gives us a disgust, and puts us out of humour. Language.If Learning comes a-cross us, we count it Pedantry; if Morality, 'tis Preaching. One must own this, however, … aiming at their peculiar Softness. 'Tis no Compliment to them, to affect their Manners, and be effeminate. Our Sense, Language, and Style, as well as our Voice, and Person, shou'd have something of that Male-Feature, and natural Roughness, …
Conversation | Beauty
Anthology
On Conversation (1782) [ Concepts ]
… after hour, the yet unletter'd boy, Sorting and puzzling with a deal of glee Those seeds of science call'd his A B C; So language in the mouths of the adult, Witness its insignificant result, Too often proves an implement of play, A toy to … it on that ground alone; I could not, had I seen it with my own. A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct; The language plain, the incidents well linked; Tell not as new what everybody knows, And, new or old, still hasten to a … worms? They dare not wait the riotous abuse Thy thirst-creating steams at length produce, When wine has given indecent language birth, And forced the floodgates of licentious mirth; For seaborn Venus her attachment shows Still to that …
Conversation | Crime
Anthology
Robinson Crusoe (1719) [ People ]
… them. Friday was my interpreter, especially to his father, and, indeed, to the Spaniard too; for the Spaniard spoke the language of the savages pretty well. After we had dined, or rather supped, I ordered Friday to take one of the canoes, … down to destroy them, and not men with weapons. This, he said, he knew; because he heard them all cry out so, in their language, one to another; for it was impossible for them to conceive that a man could dart fire, and speak thunder, and …
Conversation | Fiction
Anthology
The Spectator, No. 68 (Friday, 18 May 1711) [ Practices ]
… which a late excellent Author has delivered as his own, 'That we should have many Well-wishers, but few 'riends.' Sweet Language will multiply Friends; and a fair-speaking Tongue will increase kind Greetings. Be in Peace with many, …
Periodicals | Conversation
Anthology
On Conversation (1756) [ Concepts ]
… articulation, perfectly understand one another by the sounds they utter; and that dogs, cats, &c. have each a particular language to themselves, like different nations. Thus it may be supposed, that the nightingales of Italy have as fine an … to be under the influence of reason, and do not keep up the proper conversation of human creatures, as imitating the language of different animals. Thus, for instance, the affinity between Chatterers and Monkeys, and Praters and Parrots, …
Conversation | Animals | Theatre
Anthology
Autobiography, 1784 [ Places / Practices ]
… he witnessed my gaining even a momentary triumph over these men, skilled in disputation, and masters of their own language. "Are you a Calvinist, Madam?" said one of the Monsignori. "Certainly not," was the reply. "Do you kneel to re- … he witnessed my gaining even a momentary triumph over these men, skilled in disputation, and masters of their own language." … Grand Tour … Women … Conversation … Autobiography, letters and literary remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale) , …
Grand Tour | Women | Conversation
Anthology
Grasmere Journal (1800) [ Practices / People ]
… and gusty, morning; for often the sun shines. Thomas Ashburner could not go to Keswick. Read a part of Lamb's Play. The language is often very beautiful, but too imitative in particular phrases, words, etc. The characters, except Margaret, …
Conversation | Nature | Education
Anthology
Pagination
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