Brevity Quote by John Jay
“I saw one excellency was within my reach - it was brevity and I determined to obtain it.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: John Jay to a colleague, 1786
Brevity is a virtue; striving for concise expression improves communication.
In simple terms: Being concise makes ideas clearer.
Key Takeaway
Practice concise writing.
Themes
communication
clarity
efficiency
Mood
thoughtful
practical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business emails
- public speaking
- writing drafts
Key Concepts
rhetoric
linguistics
Questions to Reflect On
- What benefits does brevity bring?
- When is detail essential?
A Different Perspective
Too much brevity can sacrifice nuance.
![“Too many in your state [Pennsylvania], as in this [New York], love pure democracy dearly. They seem not to consider that pure democracy, like pure rum, easily produces intoxication, and with it a thousand mad pranks and fooleries.” quote by John Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5f9/john-jay-31836_democracy_too-many-in-your-state-pennsylvania-as-i_2189878.jpg)
