[In the Royal Society, there] has been, a constant…
“[In the Royal Society, there] has been, a constant Resolution, to reject all the amplifications, digressions, and swellings of style: to return back to the primitive purity, and shortness, when men deliver'd so many things, almost in an equal number of words. They have exacted from all their members, a close, naked, natural way of speaking; positive expressions; clear senses; a native easiness: bringing all things as near the Mathematical plainness, as they can: and preferring the language of Artizans, Countrymen, and Merchants, before that, of Wits, or Scholars.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Clear, concise language should replace ornate, overly complex expression.
In simple terms: Speak plainly.
Prioritize clarity over flourish.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- public speaking
- technical documentation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does elaborate language serve a purpose?
- How can you balance clarity with richness?
Simplicity may omit nuance needed for depth.