“Of Discourse”, an aphoristic essay of the famous essayist Francis Bacon, was first published in 1597. The grave subject matter , unique style and universal values of this essay has given him a high place in the world literature.
Paraphrase of the Essay:
Literally ‘Discourse’ means speech, lecture, discussion or conversation , here it means 'speech' as a courtly accomplishment. In his essay ‘Of Discourse’ Bacon has given us some important advices regarding effective discussion. It is seen that some people, in time of discourse, desire praise of the skill and style of saying instead of intellectual efficiency and the final evaluation, as they can control and sustain all arguments. They demand praise of what is said, not of what is thought, caring little of judgement, the truth in the discourse. In a word, ‘Manner’ (style of saying) is more important to them than ‘Matter’ (theme of saying) It is seen that, in time of discourse, some concentrate on the common place subject matter. This ordinary matter may thematically be good, but want variety which is a kind of weakness (Poverty). For this lacking of variety, the discourse becomes monotonous, tiresome and ultimately ridiculous. So variety is an essential element in good discourse.
The most worthy part of a discourse is to open the situation with the help of conversation, to regulate it and to move to some other means like speech or discussion. It will continue the discourse which would attract and draw others. In discourse (sustained speech) and in conversation (quick exchange of words) it is very good to make proper changes (vary) and to intermingle up various matters of present interest and that of permanent interest (argument). An able talker should follow some rules. Theories should be mingled with anecdotes, some questions regarding their opinion should be asked. There must have some jest in the earnest thought. Without jest a discourse becomes dull that tires a person. Continuous speaking is like the overdrive, a long distance. Though conversation should be spiced with jest some matter must be exempted from it and these are religion, matter of state, great persons, urgent important business and pitiful matters.
There are some talkers who go with the wrong idea that they would not be taken as witty and efficient if they fail to taunt others and fail to make hurtful remarks in time of discourse. Bacon advises us to control this habit (vein). Now he advises us to follow Ovid's remark: "Spare the spur, boy, and use the rein more strongly." It means that the discourse can be encouraged to any extent, but there must have some control over it to avoid defame and danger. Any person can make difference between salty or pleasant talks (saltness) and bitter or taunting talk (bitterness). Some persons have the habit to make a satirical attacks and they make such an atmosphere that other persons are afraid of their knowledge. They must remember other person's memory, that means everything is in other's mind as grudges that increases day by day and one day it will be hurled to the former.
Discourse is the source of gathering knowledge. One who makes much questions, learns much and becomes content. Benefit is gathered when the question is up to the knowledge and skill of other persons. If the other person can answer, he would speak more and the discourser would gather more knowledge. The question should not be tough like that of an examiner. Every person involved in discourse should be given chance to speak. If one speaks too much and takes all the time, the person should be stopped and other persons should be given chances to speak. If one subject is discussed continually, the discourser should introduce other subject, the former being stopped. Monopolizing conversation is not effective and it is compared to the galliards (a type of lively dance) where the musician changes the group and brings the new one.
If any person wants to disclaim his knowledge, his genuine pleas of ignorance would be regarded as modesty. There may be some situation where he does not really have knowledge, but the other person would believe that the former disclaims the matter. Speech of oneself should be seldom and well chosen. Self-propaganda is discouraged by Bacon. His advice is that one must be very wise if one speaks much of oneself. If a person wants to praise himself he should do that with good grace and he should praise the virtue in others first, then his own, particularly when the virtue is pretended to be possessed.
Any speech of personal matter that touches others, hurts others, should be used judiciously. Discourse should be like a field - open to all sides. It means that discourse should be free and varied that would cover manifold subject and the discourse would be continued without any obstructions. Discourse should have no fixed destination. This time Bacon has given an anecdote about the discourse during dining related to two Noblemen of England. One of them used to sneer or taunt, but always retained a congenial and cheerful atmosphere in his house. The other Nobleman was very inquisitive about the taunting of the first Nobleman. He asked those who dined with the first Nobleman if there was any blow or flout or taunting during the dinner. The guests would answer that there was such and such talking. The second Nobleman commented that the first Nobleman used to mar the dinner by scoffing others. Bacon wants to say that harsh comment and taunting during meal brings about bad effect on digestion.
Towards the end of the essay Bacon says that agreeable speech is more important than the speech given with eloquence, given with good words in good order. A good long and continued speech (settled speech) without quick exchange of words (interlocution) indicates the dullness of the discourse. On the other hand, only quick reply without settled speech (a speech that takes time) exposes ignorance and intellectual infirmity. Here Bacon has given an analogy of grey hound and hare. A hare is quick in movement (nimblest) but weak in the straight run a long distance and the greyhound is the opposite. Similar in the way, a good continued speech is slow but rich in subject matter, and a conversation with quick exchange of words is weak in subject matter. Much digression (circumstances) before arriving the main topic makes the discourse tedious and a subject without any digression makes it very uninteresting, a dull one.
