--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being incomprehensible offers…" description: "\"Being incomprehensible offers unparalleled protection against having nothing to say...but writing with simplicity requires courage, for there is a dang..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/862/alain-de-botton-221_belief_being-incomprehensible-offers-unparallel_1119595.jpg" --- # Being incomprehensible offers unparalleled protection… ![“Being incomprehensible offers unparalleled protection against having nothing to say...but writing with simplicity requires courage, for there is a danger that one will be overlooked, dismissed as simpleminded by those with a tenacious belief that the impassable prose is a hallmark of intelligence.” quote by Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/862/alain-de-botton-221_belief_being-incomprehensible-offers-unparallel_1119595.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/862/alain-de-botton-221_belief_being-incomprehensible-offers-unparallel_1119595.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/862/alain-de-botton-221_belief_being-incomprehensible-offers-unparallel_1119595.jpg) > “Being incomprehensible offers unparalleled protection against having nothing to say...but writing with simplicity requires courage, for there is a danger that one will be overlooked, dismissed as simpleminded by those with a tenacious belief that the impassable prose is a hallmark of intelligence.” [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Complex, obscure language can shield emptiness, but simple writing demands bravery and risks being dismissed as naive. **In simple terms:** Simple writing is brave but may be undervalued. Key Takeaway Choose clarity over complexity. Themes communication writing courage Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - academic essays - public speeches - creative writing Key Concepts simplicity intellectual humility Questions to Reflect On - Why do we equate complexity with intelligence? - How can we value clear expression? A Different Perspective Simplicity may be mistaken for lack of depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prose/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) [Simplicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [There seemed a gulf impassable between them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/there-seemed-a-gulf-impassable-between-them/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [If you will tell me why the fen appears impassable, I then will tell you why I think that I can cross it if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/if-you-will-tell-me-why-the-fen-appears-impassable-i-then-will-tell/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Incomprehensible jargon is the hallmark of a profession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingman-brewster-jr/incomprehensible-jargon-is-the-hallmark-of-a-profession/) [Kingman Brewster, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingman-brewster-jr/) > [“Nonviolence is only for the brave men and women of the world because it requires courage – courage to love the beauty of life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/nonviolence-is-only-for-the-brave-men-and-women-of-the-world-because/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [We must have courage to bet on our ideas, to take the calculated risk, and to act. 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Does an emerald become worse if it isn't praised? 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