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Tis an admirable thing to see how some people will labour…

“Tis an admirable thing to see how some people will labour to find out terms that may obscure a plain sense, like a gentleman I knew, who would never say 'the weather grew cold,' but that 'winter begins to salute us.' I have no patience for such coxcombs.” quote by Dorothy Osborne
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“Tis an admirable thing to see how some people will labour to find out terms that may obscure a plain sense, like a gentleman I knew, who would never say 'the weather grew cold,' but that 'winter begins to salute us.' I have no patience for such coxcombs.”

Dorothy Osborne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker criticizes people who overcomplicate simple ideas with pretentious language, preferring straightforward expression.

In simple terms: Avoid overly fancy language; be clear.

Key Takeaway

Value clarity over pretension.

Themes

communication clarity pretension language honesty

Mood

irritated critical reflective

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

  • daily conversation
  • professional writing
  • academic discourse
  • public speaking
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

rhetoric social etiquette literary style

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you prefer plain speech or elegant phrasing?
  • When does simplicity become condescending?
A Different Perspective

Overly simple language can be seen as dismissive or lacking nuance.

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