--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be…" description: "\"Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be said.\" — Georg C. Lichtenberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_brevity_brevity-to-say-at-once-whatever-is-to-be_1238445.png" --- # Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be said. ![“Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be said.” quote by Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_brevity_brevity-to-say-at-once-whatever-is-to-be_1238445.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_brevity_brevity-to-say-at-once-whatever-is-to-be_1238445.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_brevity_brevity-to-say-at-once-whatever-is-to-be_1238445.png) > “Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be said.” [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Brevity means expressing a complete thought in the fewest words possible. **In simple terms:** Speak concisely. Key Takeaway Choose words carefully. Themes communication efficiency clarity Mood focused concise Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing - public speaking - teaching - negotiation Key Concepts rhetoric minimalism Questions to Reflect On - How can you convey essential ideas without losing meaning? - When does brevity become a hindrance? A Different Perspective May sacrifice nuance for speed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brevity/) ## Related quotes > [There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face. ... It is no great art to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/there-are-people-who-believe-everything-is-sane-and-sensible-that-is-2/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“Dru? Don't leave wihtout me." What could I say to that? I said the only thing I could. "I promise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-st-crow/dru-don-t-leave-wihtout-me-what-could-i-say-to-that-i-said-the-only/) [Lili St. Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-st-crow/) > [We come too late to say anything which has not been said already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/we-come-too-late-to-say-anything-which-has-not-been-said-already/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [“I got something to say to you, big shot." "Say it, then," I said, "while I'm used to the drone of your voice. I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/i-got-something-to-say-to-you-big-shot-say-it-then-i-said-while-i-m/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [“Say something,” he said. “What?” I mumbled, struggling to orient myself. “What?” “Can you hear me? What day is it? Who’s the president?” “Yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-castillo-price/say-something-he-said-what-i-mumbled-struggling-to-orient-myself-what/) [Jordan Castillo Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-castillo-price/) > [“I don't know what to say," she said, after a pause. "I don't want to tell you a lie, and I don't know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-brubaker-bradley-2/i-don-t-know-what-to-say-she-said-after-a-pause-i-don-t-want-to-tell/) Kimberly Brubaker-Bradley > [“More often than not, the thing you're trying to say has already been said, so don't waste precious time being original when she's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-dover/more-often-than-not-the-thing-you-re-trying-to-say-has-already-been/) [Neil Dover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-dover/) > [“You were right,” she said softly. “I never could’ve killed them all by myself.” “What did you say?” “I said you were right .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/you-were-right-she-said-softly-i-never-could-ve-killed-them-all-by/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Often if you don't speak up, whatever you thought was stupid to say some man would say and then everyone would say 'as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/often-if-you-don-t-speak-up-whatever-you-thought-was-stupid-to-say/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [Those who have had anything useful to say have said it far too often, and those who have had nothing to say have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/those-who-have-had-anything-useful-to-say-have-said-it-far-too-often/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) > [“Tut!' I said. 'What did you say?' 'I said "Tut!"' 'Say it once again, and I'll biff you where you stand. I've enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-4/tut-i-said-what-did-you-say-i-said-tut-say-it-once-again-and-i-ll/) [P.G.Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-4/) > [Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. It's not right. Someone's gotta say it. They said it. I applaud them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-macy/talk-about-putting-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-it-s-not-right/) [William H. Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-macy/) > [And we could have all this,' she said. 'And we could have everything and every day we make it more impossible.' 'What did you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/and-we-could-have-all-this-she-said-and-we-could-have-everything-and/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [How was I to know? ... You didn't say anything.""I said lots of things," he corrected gently. "You just didn't hear them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/how-was-i-to-know-you-didn-t-say-anything-i-said-lots-of-things-he/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [“I know I’m not supposed to say this,” he said. “But I think I love you more than ever.” I took his hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-know-i-m-not-supposed-to-say-this-he-said-but-i-think-i-love-you/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) ## More by Georg C. Lichtenberg > [If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/if-people-should-ever-start-to-do-only-what-is-necessary-millions/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [We can see nothing whatever of the soul unless it is visible in the expression of the countenance; one might call the faces at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/we-can-see-nothing-whatever-of-the-soul-unless-it-is-visible-in-the/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [The wisdom of providence is as much revealed in the rarity of genius, as in the circumstance that not everyone is deaf or blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-wisdom-of-providence-is-as-much-revealed-in-the-rarity-of-genius/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [I ceased in the year 1764 to believe that one can convince one’s opponents with arguments printed in books. It is not to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/i-ceased-in-the-year-1764-to-believe-that-one-can-convince-one-s/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Probably no invention came more easily to man than heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/probably-no-invention-came-more-easily-to-man-than-heaven/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [It is a great shame; most of our words are misused tools / which often still smell of the mud in which previous owners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/it-is-a-great-shame-most-of-our-words-are-misused-tools-which-often/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [To live when you do not want to is dreadful, but it would be even more terrible to be immortal when you did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/to-live-when-you-do-not-want-to-is-dreadful-but-it-would-be-even-more/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [He who understands the wise is wise already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/he-who-understands-the-wise-is-wise-already/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [The fruits of philosophy are the important thing, not the philosophy itself. When we ask the time, we don't want to know how watches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-fruits-of-philosophy-are-the-important-thing-not-the-philosophy/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [He who says he hates all kinds of flattery, and says so in earnest, has undoubtedly not as yet become acquainted with all kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/he-who-says-he-hates-all-kinds-of-flattery-and-says-so-in-earnest-has/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [One can live in this world on soothsaying but not on truth saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/one-can-live-in-this-world-on-soothsaying-but-not-on-truth-saying/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Actual aristocracy cannot be abolished by any law: all the law can do is decree how it is to be imparted and who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/actual-aristocracy-cannot-be-abolished-by-any-law-all-the-law-can-do/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [One of the greatest and also the commonest of faults is for men to believe that, because they never hear their shortcomings spoken of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/one-of-the-greatest-and-also-the-commonest-of-faults-is-for-men-to/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [People who never have any time on their hands are those who do the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/people-who-never-have-any-time-on-their-hands-are-those-who-do-the/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [An hour-glass is a reminder not only of time's quick flight, but also of the dust to which we must at last return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/an-hour-glass-is-a-reminder-not-only-of-time-s-quick-flight-but-also/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) [Explore all 295 Georg C. Lichtenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) ## More Brevity quotes > [it is the brevity of life which makes it tolerable; its experiences have value because they have an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-holtby/it-is-the-brevity-of-life-which-makes-it-tolerable-its-experiences/) [Winifred Holtby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-holtby/) > [“It's not my accent, but my brevity makes me stylish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-s-not-my-accent-but-my-brevity-makes-me-stylish/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Life is too short to waste being a productive member of society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-luckman/life-is-too-short-to-waste-being-a-productive-member-of-society/) [Sol Luckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-luckman/) > [This is going to take a while. I'm a fantasy author. We have trouble with the concept of brevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/this-is-going-to-take-a-while-i-m-a-fantasy-author-we-have-trouble/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if an hour, I am ready now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/if-i-am-to-speak-ten-minutes-i-need-a-week-for-preparation-if-an-hour/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [If, in the very intense electric field in the neighbourhood of the cathode, the molecules of the gas are dissociated and are split up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-john-thomson/if-in-the-very-intense-electric-field-in-the-neighbourhood-of-the/) [Joseph John Thomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-john-thomson/) > [Our senses will not admit anything extreme. Too much noise confuses us, too much light dazzles us, too great distance or nearness prevents vision,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/our-senses-will-not-admit-anything-extreme-too-much-noise-confuses-us/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Conversation! Supple sentences, with first and second meanings and overtones beyond, outrageous challenges with cleverly planned slip-points, rebuttals of elegant brevity; deceptions and guiles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-vance/conversation-supple-sentences-with-first-and-second-meanings-and/) [Jack Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-vance/) > [It is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all that he has to say in the fewest possible words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-excellent-discipline-for-an-author-to-feel-that-he-must-say-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/a-drawing-should-have-no-unnecessary-lines-and-a-machine-no/) [William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/) > [Not to discriminate every moment some passionate attitude in those about us, and in the very brilliancy of their gifts some tragic dividing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/not-to-discriminate-every-moment-some-passionate-attitude-in-those/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [He will see himself and life and the world as truly as our human limitations will permit; realizing the brevity and minuteness of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/he-will-see-himself-and-life-and-the-world-as-truly-as-our-human/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [There came to him an image of man’s whole life upon the earth. It seemed to him that all man’s life was like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wolfe/there-came-to-him-an-image-of-man-s-whole-life-upon-the-earth-it/) [Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wolfe/) > [As a writer, I'm too busy and worried to experience the delight while composing my own work, although, of course, I hope a reader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-mcdermott/as-a-writer-i-m-too-busy-and-worried-to-experience-the-delight-while/) [Alice McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-mcdermott/) > [Aiming at brevity, I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/aiming-at-brevity-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Browse all 192 Brevity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brevity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Brevity: To say at once whatever is to be said.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Georg C. 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