The Thomistic Institute Becoming a Good Conversationalist: How Not to Bore, Boast, or Otherwise Blather . . . and More! – Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
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Apr 20, 2026 
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., a theology instructor and author, argues conversation is a moral and spiritual practice. He discusses listening well, welcoming others, and using small talk to build communion. He explains avoiding dominance, drawing in quieter voices, and enjoying conversation as a prudent, transformative practice.
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Conversation Is A Moral Virtue
- Conversation is a moral responsibility and a cultivated virtue, not merely temperament or luck.
- Fr. Gregory Pine compares it to Aristotle's inclusion of wit among virtues and urges cultivating delight for others.
Crowd Out Bad Habits With Good Growth
- Don't obsess over rooting out every conversational flaw; focus on cultivating good conversational habits that crowd out bad ones.
- Fr. Gregory Pine uses the garden metaphor: plant beauty rather than only weeding, or you end with empty dirt.
Take Time And Trust The Process
- Be patient with your conversational formation; moral maturation and social skill take the whole course of life.
- Fr. Gregory Pine reminds listeners to 'trust the process' and that God perfects us in his time, not instantly.
