Boring Quote by Edsger Dijkstra
“Some consider the puzzles that are created by their omissions as spicy challenges, without which their texts would be boring; others shun clarity lest their work is considered trivial.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Humble Programmer", 1972
Writers may deliberately obscure meaning to seem sophisticated, but clarity is essential for engaging text.
In simple terms: Obscurity vs clarity in writing.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize clear expression.
Themes
writing
clarity
communication
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- technical documentation
- creative writing workshops
- editing processes
Key Concepts
literary style
information theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When does ambiguity enhance a work?
- How does clarity affect reader engagement?
A Different Perspective
Some audiences may prefer mystery over simplicity.
![“Puzzles are made of the things that the mathematician, no less than the child, plays with, and dreams and wonders about, for they are made of things and circumstances of the world he [or she] live in.” quote by Edward Kasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/014/edward-kasner-41808_children_puzzles-are-made-of-the-things-that-the_293115.jpg)
![“Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about [the goto statement]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others are making a religion out of it, as if the conceptual problems of programming could be solved by a single trick, by a simple form of coding discipline!” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ad/edsger-dijkstra-5102_believe_please-don-t-fall-into-the-trap-of-belie_167695.jpg)
