To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves. Nothing is often a good thing to say, and always a clever thing to say.

Durant Will (2003) An Invitation to Philosophy: Essays and Talks on the Love of Wisdom. 2 which never saw publication. He makes a mighty fine talk.

William James Durant (November 5 1885 – November 7 1981) was a prolific American writer historian and philosopher. He sought to unify and humanize the great body of historical knowledge which had grown too voluminous and become fragmented into esoteric specialties and to vitalize it for contemporary application. He is best known for The Story of Civilization 11 volumes written in collaboration with his wife Ariel Durant and publiWill Durantd between 1935 and 1975.