--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I strive to be brief but I become obscure." description: "\"I strive to be brief but I become obscure.\" — Horace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/horace-172_become_i-strive-to-be-brief-but-i-become-obscur_1126309.jpg" --- # I strive to be brief but I become obscure. ![“I strive to be brief but I become obscure.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/horace-172_become_i-strive-to-be-brief-but-i-become-obscur_1126309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/horace-172_become_i-strive-to-be-brief-but-i-become-obscur_1126309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/horace-172_become_i-strive-to-be-brief-but-i-become-obscur_1126309.jpg) > “I strive to be brief but I become obscure.” [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker tries to be concise but ends up being unclear, highlighting the tension between brevity and clarity. **In simple terms:** Being brief can make you vague. Key Takeaway Balance conciseness with clarity. Themes communication writing clarity Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - emails - public speaking - writing drafts Key Concepts rhetoric self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure brevity doesn’t sacrifice meaning? - When is detail more important than brevity? A Different Perspective Too much brevity can obscure meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I strive to be brief, and become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/i-strive-to-be-brief-and-become-obscure/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [It is when I struggle to be brief that I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-when-i-struggle-to-be-brief-that-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Struggling to be brief I become obscure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/struggling-to-be-brief-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Never be so brief as to become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-so-brief-as-to-become-obscure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In labouring to be brief, I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-labouring-to-be-brief-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Anger is a brief lunacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/anger-is-a-brief-lunacy/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Anger is brief madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/anger-is-brief-madness/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Whatever advice you give, be brief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/whatever-advice-you-give-be-brief/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Whatever you want to teach, be brief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/whatever-you-want-to-teach-be-brief/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Anger is a brief madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/anger-is-a-brief-madness/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Whatever your advice, make it brief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/whatever-your-advice-make-it-brief/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [It's terrifying the way molecular biology has become more and more jargon ridden. But I strongly believe that my book can be read by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-ridley/it-s-terrifying-the-way-molecular-biology-has-become-more-and-more/) [Matt Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-ridley/) > [In trying to be concise I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-trying-to-be-concise-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ A wise God shrouds the future in obscure darkness. \[Lat., Prudens futuri temporis exitum Caliginosa nocte premit deus.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-wise-god-shrouds-the-future-in-obscure-darkness-lat-prudens-futuri/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Aiming at brevity, I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/aiming-at-brevity-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More by Horace > [Strange - is it not? 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(Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/avoid-inquisitive-persons-for-they-are-sure-to-be-gossips-their-ears/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-still-will-hurry/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. 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