Quotation by

William Temple

The first ingredient in conversation is truth, the next good sense, the third good humor, and the fourth wit.

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Understanding this quote AI Analysis

William Temple means that honesty is the most important part of any conversation, followed by practical judgment to keep things clear and sensible. After that, having a lighthearted attitude and cleverness helps make the interaction enjoyable and engaging.

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Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

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A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.
Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven.