There is only one rule for being a good talker - learn to listen.

Morley’s aphorism flips the usual idea that eloquence is mainly about speaking well. He suggests that the foundation of good conversation is receptive attention: listening closely enough to understand another person’s meaning, mood, and assumptions. In practice, this kind of listening improves what one says—responses become more relevant, questions more incisive, and tone more humane. The line also carries a social ethic: conversation is cooperative rather than competitive, and the “good talker” is measured by generosity and curiosity, not verbal dominance. As a rule of conduct, it implies that the quickest route to being interesting is to be interested.