# Conversation as an Exchange of Thought by Emily Post > “Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.” > **— Emily Post**, *Simple Reminders on Real American Pride* ## Sources and Context - **Direct or authoritative text:** [Emily Post Quotations — The Emily Post Institute](https://emilypost.com/about/quotations) - **Series source and editorial context:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]] — “Conversation as an Exchange of Thought.” - **Why it belongs:** Conversation is made cooperative rather than theatrical. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Collection:** [[collections/American|American Collection]] - **Series source:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]] - **American route:** [[american/American Comportment - 02 - Speech and Conversation|Speech and Conversation]] - **American route:** [[american/American Ethos - Civic Literacy|Discernment]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/American Comportment|American Comportment]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.” — Emily Post, Simple Reminders on Real American Pride https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-real-american-pride-conversation-as-an-exchange-of-thought ```