Any one may mouth out a passage with a theatrical cadence…
“Any one may mouth out a passage with a theatrical cadence, or get upon stilts to tell his thoughts; but to write or speak with propriety and simplicity is a more difficult task. Thus it is easy to affect a pompous style, to use a word twice as big as the thing you want to express; it is not so easy to pitch upon the very word that exactly fits it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Simple, proper language is harder to achieve than ornate, pompous style.
In simple terms: Simplicity in speech is difficult.
Key Takeaway
Practice clear, modest expression.
Themes
communication
simplicity
style
Mood
thoughtful
educational
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- writing
- public speaking
- teaching
Key Concepts
rhetoric
linguistic precision
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you simplify your messages?
- When is elaborate language appropriate?
A Different Perspective
Complex language can obscure meaning.