--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My definition of elegance is the…" description: "\"My definition of elegance is the achievement of a given functionality with a minimum of mechanism and a maximum of clarity.\" — Fernando J. Corbato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/fernando-j-corbato-42400_achievement_my-definition-of-elegance-is-the-achieve_2940036.png" --- # My definition of elegance is the achievement of a given… ![“My definition of elegance is the achievement of a given functionality with a minimum of mechanism and a maximum of clarity.” quote by Fernando J. Corbato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/fernando-j-corbato-42400_achievement_my-definition-of-elegance-is-the-achieve_2940036.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/fernando-j-corbato-42400_achievement_my-definition-of-elegance-is-the-achieve_2940036.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/fernando-j-corbato-42400_achievement_my-definition-of-elegance-is-the-achieve_2940036.png) > “My definition of elegance is the achievement of a given functionality with a minimum of mechanism and a maximum of clarity.” [Fernando J. Corbato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-j-corbato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elegance is achieving desired functionality with minimal mechanisms and maximal clarity. **In simple terms:** Elegant design is simple, clear, and effective. Key Takeaway Strive for simplicity and clarity in design. Themes design elegance efficiency clarity Mood inspirational practical Type design philosophical When to use this quote - software development - product design - engineering processes - education Key Concepts minimalism functionalism human‑centered design Questions to Reflect On - How can you simplify without losing essential function? - What trade‑offs are acceptable for clarity? A Different Perspective Simplicity may sacrifice necessary features or robustness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Clarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) [Elegance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elegance/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [ The general problem with ambitious systems is complexity. \[...\] it is important to emphasize the value of simplicity and elegance, for complexity has a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-j-corbato/the-general-problem-with-ambitious-systems-is-complexity-it-is/) [Fernando J. 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Rather, it's about doing both and doing them a lot and doing them well-and that's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-prince-ramus/it-s-not-so-much-about-form-versus-functionality-rather-it-s-about/) [Joshua Prince-Ramus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-prince-ramus/) ## More by Fernando J. Corbato > [The number of lines of code a programmer can write in a fixed period of time is the same independent of the language used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-j-corbato/the-number-of-lines-of-code-a-programmer-can-write-in-a-fixed-period/) [Fernando J. Corbato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-j-corbato/) > [The use of the high level language made each programmer a factor of 5 to 10 more productive in a coding sense and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-j-corbato/the-use-of-the-high-level-language-made-each-programmer-a-factor-of-5/) [Fernando J. 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Corbato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-j-corbato/) ## More Achievement quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. 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