---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dull words are what make many bright…"
description: "\"Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They do not call attention to themselves.\" — Alexandra Petri"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg"
---

#  Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They…

![“Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They do not call attention to themselves.” quote by Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg)

> “Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They do not call attention to themselves.”

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

## About This Quote

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

The quote claims that simple, unremarkable words make vivid sentences stand out because they don't draw attention to themselves.

**In simple terms:** Plain words let bright sentences shine.

Key Takeaway

Use subtle language to highlight key ideas.

Themes

writing clarity contrast

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

literary advice

When to use this quote

- creative writing
- editing
- public speaking

Key Concepts

linguistics minimalism

Questions to Reflect On

- How does simplicity affect impact?
- When should you use vivid language?

A Different Perspective

Over-simplicity may make prose dull.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/)

## Related quotes

> [They will wrest 'dull words' from my cold dead hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/they-will-wrest-dull-words-from-my-cold-dead-hands/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Her eyes, they used to shine so bright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tumblr/her-eyes-they-used-to-shine-so-bright/)

Tumblr

> [Let's shine a bright light on our problems and run into the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-youngkin/let-s-shine-a-bright-light-on-our-problems-and-run-into-the-light/)

[Glenn Youngkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-youngkin/)

> [“Life is bright, let it shine!!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-gualiume/life-is-bright-let-it-shine/)

susan gualiume

> [When the stars shine so bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/when-the-stars-shine-so-bright/)

[Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/)

> [“The moon will guide you through the night with her brightness, but she will always dwell in the darkness, in order to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/the-moon-will-guide-you-through-the-night-with-her-brightness-but-she/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [You can't keep a star from shining and my star's going to shine bright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/you-can-t-keep-a-star-from-shining-and-my-star-s-going-to-shine-bright/)

[Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/)

> [“You are a lamp to give light to people; you must mount the lamp stand and shine bright! Don't hide your gifts; expose and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-are-a-lamp-to-give-light-to-people-you-must-mount-the-lamp-stand/)

[israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [“Become like the sun. If you do so, all darkness will be dispelled. No matter what happens, live confidently with the conviction that you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/become-like-the-sun-if-you-do-so-all-darkness-will-be-dispelled-no/)

[Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/)

> [“Be bold. Shine bright.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-bold-shine-bright/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You never know who is bright, until you let them shine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody/you-never-know-who-is-bright-until-you-let-them-shine/)

Cody

> [Shine bright like a diamond..SWAG](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/shine-bright-like-a-diamond-swag/)

[Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/)

> [“Self-esteem is the switch in the circuit of your life that dims or brightness of your future. Bring it low and you don't shine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/self-esteem-is-the-switch-in-the-circuit-of-your-life-that-dims-or/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [“They were spells, spelled with words to make worlds, waiting for me, in the pages of books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/they-were-spells-spelled-with-words-to-make-worlds-waiting-for-me-in/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [I think it takes about a million words to make a writer. I mean that you're going to throw away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-pournelle/i-think-it-takes-about-a-million-words-to-make-a-writer-i-mean-that/)

[Jerry Pournelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-pournelle/)

## More by Alexandra Petri

> [They will wrest 'dull words' from my cold dead hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/they-will-wrest-dull-words-from-my-cold-dead-hands/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Standup comedy was my weird hobby. I would drag my poor parents out to the only open mics that were in coffee shops instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/standup-comedy-was-my-weird-hobby-i-would-drag-my-poor-parents-out-to/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [You can be brilliant in some ways and despicable in others. You can be a clean, upright, moral individual in your private life who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/you-can-be-brilliant-in-some-ways-and-despicable-in-others-you-can-be/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Almost nothing anyone told me about Harvard has been accurate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/almost-nothing-anyone-told-me-about-harvard-has-been-accurate/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Success is like food caught in your teeth: much more noticeable when it happens to other people. If it happens to you, other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/success-is-like-food-caught-in-your-teeth-much-more-noticeable-when/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [I majored in extracurriculars, honestly. I joined the Harvard Stand Up Comedy Society, which is a ragtag band of misfits. I wrote for 'On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/i-majored-in-extracurriculars-honestly-i-joined-the-harvard-stand-up/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Bills ought to be passed with deliberation by committees. Change should be achieved in a bipartisan manner. Incrementally, day by day, we should reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/bills-ought-to-be-passed-with-deliberation-by-committees-change/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Although no one explicitly wants a president who could have a reliable fall back career in stand-up comedy, everyone shudders at the thought of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/although-no-one-explicitly-wants-a-president-who-could-have-a/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [George Washington didn't have to make us laugh; he just had to establish precedents and avoid chopping down more cherry trees than he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/george-washington-didn-t-have-to-make-us-laugh-he-just-had-to/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [At Harvard, people like to impart the idea that you are a mover and shaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/at-harvard-people-like-to-impart-the-idea-that-you-are-a-mover-and/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [It's easier to find the joke in something when you think, 'This - this is ridiculous.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/it-s-easier-to-find-the-joke-in-something-when-you-think-this-this-is/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [The desire for attention has become a primal need along the lines of food, water, and clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/the-desire-for-attention-has-become-a-primal-need-along-the-lines-of/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [The biggest way to be productive is if you're procrastinating on another more important project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/the-biggest-way-to-be-productive-is-if-you-re-procrastinating-on/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [As long as cantankerous old people have existed, they have complained that kids nowadays don't seem to know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/as-long-as-cantankerous-old-people-have-existed-they-have-complained/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

> [Worst case scenario, nothing I do has any value or purpose, but if I can make someone laugh, I'm at least as useful as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/worst-case-scenario-nothing-i-do-has-any-value-or-purpose-but-if-i/)

[Alexandra Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

[Explore all 100 Alexandra Petri quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/)

## More Attention quotes

> [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/)

[David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/)

> [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/)

[Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/)

> [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/)

[Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/)

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/)

[Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/)

> [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/)

[Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/)

> [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/)

[Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/)

> [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/)

[Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/)

> [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/)

[Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/)

> [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/)

[Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/)

> [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/)

[Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/)

> [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/)

[Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/)

[Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They do not call attention to themselves.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alexandra Petri"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sentences-shine-they-do-not-call/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attention"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sentences-shine-they-do-not-call/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/alexandra-petri-5715_attention_dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sen_332252.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Dull words are what make many bright sentences shine. They do not call attention to themselves.” — Alexandra Petri",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alexandra Petri",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-petri/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Dull words are what make many...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sentences-shine-they-do-not-call/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-petri/dull-words-are-what-make-many-bright-sentences-shine-they-do-not-call/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
