This intimates both the pleasure and the advantage of conversation. One
man is nobody; nor will poring upon a book in a corner accomplish a man
as the reading and studying of men will. Wise and profitable discourse
sharpens men's wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may by
conference have something added to them. It sharpens men's looks, and,
by cheering the spirits, puts a briskness and liveliness into the
countenance, and gives a man such an air as shows he is pleased himself
and makes him pleasing to those about him. Good men's graces are
sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad men's lusts and
passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is
sharpened by its like, especially by the file. Men are filed, made
smooth, and bright, and fit for business (who were rough, and dull, and
inactive), by conversation. This is designed, 1. To recommend to us
this expedient for sharpening ourselves, but with a caution to take
heed whom we choose to converse with, because the influence upon us is
so great either for the better or for the worse. 2. To direct us what
we must have in our eye in conversation, namely to improve both others
and ourselves, not to pass away time or banter one another, but to
provoke one another to love and to good works and so to make one
another wiser and better.