It will be, then, an easy matter to prepare a few remarks on the happenings of the day, on the plays that are running, or on the salient occurrences of the week.
It should be added that these remarks should express opinions of such a nature as not to wound anybody's feelings.
The man who seeks the conquest of poise will not expose himself to the risk of being involved in a discussion in which he will be compelled either to remain silent or to make an exhibition of himself.
To do this would be to strike a serious blow at his resolution to persevere.
The one idea of the aspirant to poise should be above all things never to risk a failure.
Such a check will rarely be a partial one. It will have a marked effect upon his proposed plan of educating his will-power by again giving rise to that confusion which is always lurking in the background of the thoughts of the timid and which is, moreover, the source of all their ills.
Another wise precaution consists in foreseeing objections and in preparing such answers as will enable one to refute them.
Eloquence is one of the most useful achievements of poise; it is also the gift that best aids one to acquire it.
It is, therefore, indispensable to train oneself to speak in a refined and correct manner.
The man who is sure of his oratorical powers will never be at a loss. He will find conviction growing while he seeks to create it.