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As they say, a word to the wise is sufficient. And here…

“As they say, a word to the wise is sufficient. And here I’ve gone and written five paragraphs.” quote by Orson Scott Card
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““As they say, a word to the wise is sufficient. And here I’ve gone and written five paragraphs.””

Orson Scott Card

About This Quote

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

Card humorously notes that a brief warning to the wise is enough, yet he himself wrote a lengthy explanation, highlighting a mismatch between intent and execution.

In simple terms: A short warning suffices, but he over‑explains.

Key Takeaway

Match the length of your message to its purpose.

Themes

communication humor self‑awareness

Mood

witty self‑deprecating

Type

advice literary

When to use this quote

  • email writing
  • teaching
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

brevity excess authorial irony

Questions to Reflect On

  • When have you over‑communicated?
  • How can you convey more with less?
A Different Perspective

Over‑explaining can dilute impact and waste attention.

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