The only happy talkers are dandies who extract pleasure from the very perishability of their material and who would not be able to tolerate the isolation of all other forms of composition; for most good talkers, when they have run down, are miserable; they know that they have betrayed themselves, that they have taken material which should have a life of its own, to dispense it in noises upon the air.

Summary

This quote suggests that the only people who truly enjoy talking are those who take pleasure in the temporary nature of their words. These individuals, known as dandies, derive satisfaction from the fleetingness of their conversations and would struggle to cope with the solitude that accompanies other forms of creative expression. Conversely, most skillful speakers feel miserable once the eloquence of their speech diminishes. They are aware that by using their words merely as mere sound signals, they have betrayed their potential. Their words, which could have had a lasting impact, are now dispersed aimlessly in the atmosphere.

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