Brevity Quote by Benjamin Franklin
““I have already made this paper too long, for which I must crave pardon, not having now time to make it shorter.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to a friend, 1750s
The author apologizes for the excessive length of his paper, acknowledging a lack of time to edit it shorter.
In simple terms: He admits his paper is too long and he cannot shorten it now.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfections when time is limited.
Themes
humor
self-awareness
writing
Mood
lighthearted
reflective
Type
apologetic
self‑critical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- personal correspondence
- deadline pressure
- self-editing
Key Concepts
procrastination
editing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you prioritize brevity under time constraints?
- What editing habits could prevent overly long drafts?
A Different Perspective
Length may hinder clarity and reader engagement.
