"It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation." -Joseph Addison
The 18th-century English poet and essayist was a prolific contributor to, and founder of, early magazines, including The Tatler and The Spectator (from which this observation came). "There are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion," Addison continued. "The discreet man finds out the talents of those he converses with, and knows how to apply them to proper uses... Though a man has all other perfections, and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share of others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life."
