--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The words are few, and the sentence…" description: "\"“The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as with coynes : In coines, they that in smalles..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg" --- # The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in… ![“The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as with coynes : In coines, they that in smallest compasse conteine greatest value, are best esteemed: and, in sentences, those that in fewest words comprise most matter, are most praised. Which…” quote by Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg) > ““The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as with coynes : In coines, they that in smallest compasse conteine greatest value, are best esteemed: and, in sentences, those that in fewest words comprise most matter, are most praised. Which, as of all sentences it is true; so specially of those that are marked with Memento . In them, the shorter the better; the better, and the better carried away, and the better kept; and the better called for when we need it. And such is this here; of rich contents, and with all exceeding compendious: So that, we must needs be without all excuse, it being but three words, and but five syllables, if we doe not remember it.”” [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Brief, concise sentences carry great meaning and are highly valued, especially when marked as memorable. **In simple terms:** Short sentences hold powerful meaning. Key Takeaway Value brevity in communication. Themes communication writing literature Mood reflective educational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - writing essays Key Concepts conciseness impact Questions to Reflect On - What ideas are lost when too brief? - How to balance brevity with clarity? A Different Perspective Over‑compression can omit necessary detail. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Brevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brevity/) [Esteemed Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteemed-sentences-3360931/) [Fewest Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fewest-words-805410/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Scripture Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture-short-3360930/) [Sentences Fewest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences-fewest-3360929/) [Short Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-scripture-3360928/) [Three Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-word/) [Three words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-words/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I like twitter it's a challenge to say the most thoughts in the fewest amount of words. Like the Meaning of life Live, learn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/i-like-twitter-it-s-a-challenge-to-say-the-most-thoughts-in-the/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it's blowing up; and then they lengthens it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/women-can-always-put-things-in-fewest-words-except-when-it-s-blowing/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If you really understand something, you can say it in the fewest words, instead of thrashing about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-graham/if-you-really-understand-something-you-can-say-it-in-the-fewest-words/) [Paul Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-graham/) > [There are occasions when the simplest and fewest words surpass in effect all the wealth of rhetorical amplification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-henry-lewes/there-are-occasions-when-the-simplest-and-fewest-words-surpass-in/) [George Henry Lewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-henry-lewes/) > [Sometimes the saddest stories take the fewest words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/sometimes-the-saddest-stories-take-the-fewest-words/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Short stories and some short novels are close to poetry--with the fewest words they capture the essence of a situation, of a human being.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-berriault/short-stories-and-some-short-novels-are-close-to-poetry-with-the/) [Gina Berriault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-berriault/) > [Men who have much to say use the fewest words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-who-have-much-to-say-use-the-fewest-words/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Much wisdom often goes with fewest words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/much-wisdom-often-goes-with-fewest-words/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [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/) ## More by Lancelot Andrewes > [What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Keep the commandments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/what-shall-i-do-that-i-may-inherit-eternal-life-keep-the-commandments/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; remember, Lord, how short my time is; remember that I am but flesh, a wind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/have-mercy-on-me-lord-for-i-am-weak-remember-lord-how-short-my-time/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [The Lord is my strength, my strong rock, my defense, my deliverer, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge. Amen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/the-lord-is-my-strength-my-strong-rock-my-defense-my-deliverer-the/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Ever since our first fathers by infection took this morbum sathanicum, this devilish disease, pride, of the devil, such tinder is our nature, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/ever-since-our-first-fathers-by-infection-took-this-morbum-sathanicum/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [I am ever Thine. If Thou cast me out, who shall take me in? If Thou disregard me, who shall look on me? More…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/i-am-ever-thine-if-thou-cast-me-out-who-shall-take-me-in-if-thou/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/take-away-o-lord-the-veil-of-my-heart-while-i-read-the-scriptures/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [FAITH Coming unto God, I believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him: I know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/faith-coming-unto-god-i-believe-that-he-is-and-that-he-is-a-rewarder/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Pray we for the Clergy; that they may rightly divide, that they may rightly walk; that while they teach others, themselves may learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/pray-we-for-the-clergy-that-they-may-rightly-divide-that-they-may/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [He who hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/he-who-hath-two-coats-let-him-impart-to-him-that-hath-none/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Men use to reason with themselves: It will not always be health, let us lay up for sickness; it will not always be youth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/men-use-to-reason-with-themselves-it-will-not-always-be-health-let-us/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [A cold coming they had of it, at this time of the year; just the worst time of the year to take a journey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/a-cold-coming-they-had-of-it-at-this-time-of-the-year-just-the-worst/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Let us pray for the Catholic Church; for the Churches throughout the whole world; that is, for their truth, unity, and stability; that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/let-us-pray-for-the-catholic-church-for-the-churches-throughout-the/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Two things I recognize, O Lord, in myself: Nature, which Thou hast made; Sin, which I have added.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/two-things-i-recognize-o-lord-in-myself-nature-which-thou-hast-made/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Gratitude is the praise we offer God: for teachers kind, benefactors never to be forgotten, for all who have advantaged me, by writings, sermons,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/gratitude-is-the-praise-we-offer-god-for-teachers-kind-benefactors/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [Well yet, this life such as it is, yet we love it, and loath we are to end it; and if it be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/well-yet-this-life-such-as-it-is-yet-we-love-it-and-loath-we-are-to/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) [Explore all 25 Lancelot Andrewes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) [Michael Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arnold/) > [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/) [Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/) > [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/) [Robert A. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-peterson/) > [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/) [Stephen Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-taylor/) > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) [Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/) > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as with coynes : In coines, they that in smallest compasse conteine greatest value, are best esteemed: and, in sentences, those that in fewest words comprise most matter, are most praised. Which, as of all sentences it is true; so specially of those that are marked with Memento . In them, the shorter the better; the better, and the better carried away, and the better kept; and the better called for when we need it. And such is this here; of rich contents, and with all exceeding compendious: So that, we must needs be without all excuse, it being but three words, and but five syllables, if we doe not remember it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lancelot Andrewes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short-no-one-in-scripture-so-short/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bible" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short-no-one-in-scripture-so-short/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/lancelot-andrewes-24110_bible_the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short_1978116.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The words are few, and the sentence short; no one in Scripture so short. But it fareth with Sentences as…” — Lancelot Andrewes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lancelot Andrewes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The words are few, and the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short-no-one-in-scripture-so-short/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/the-words-are-few-and-the-sentence-short-no-one-in-scripture-so-short/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```