---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is too short for a long story"
description: "\"Life is too short for a long story\" — Mary Wortley Montagu"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png"
---

#  Life is too short for a long story

![“Life is too short for a long story” quote by Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png)

> “Life is too short for a long story”

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life’s brevity makes long narratives pointless; focus on concise expression.

**In simple terms:** Short life, short stories.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize brevity.

Themes

mortality communication literature

Mood

thoughtful poetic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal letters
- public speeches
- creative writing

Key Concepts

conciseness storytelling

Questions to Reflect On

- When is detail essential?
- How to balance depth and brevity?

A Different Perspective

Risk of oversimplification.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is-short/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/)

## Related quotes

> [Life is too short not to do a little practical joking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-allen/life-is-too-short-not-to-do-a-little-practical-joking/)

[Krista Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-allen/)

> [What I've learned is that life is too short and movies are too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-leary/what-i-ve-learned-is-that-life-is-too-short-and-movies-are-too-long/)

[Denis Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-leary/)

> [Life is too short to waste. Dreams are fulfilled only through action, not through endless planning to take action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-j-schwartz/life-is-too-short-to-waste-dreams-are-fulfilled-only-through-action/)

[David J. Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-j-schwartz/)

> [Life is too short to worry about anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-davis/life-is-too-short-to-worry-about-anything/)

[Eric Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-davis/)

> [Life is too short to do anything that's not challenging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mayer/life-is-too-short-to-do-anything-that-s-not-challenging/)

[Michael Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mayer/)

> [Life is too short to harbor any hostilities towards anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peabo-bryson/life-is-too-short-to-harbor-any-hostilities-towards-anybody/)

[Peabo Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peabo-bryson/)

> [Life is too short to live on low-fat everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/life-is-too-short-to-live-on-low-fat-everything/)

[Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/)

> [Life is too short for long-term grudges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/life-is-too-short-for-long-term-grudges/)

[Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/)

> [Consultancy can be too short; or too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-weinberg/consultancy-can-be-too-short-or-too-long/)

[Gerald Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-weinberg/)

> [I never wanted to be the person who said, "I woulda, coulda, shoulda." Life is way too short, and you may not last that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-bryant/i-never-wanted-to-be-the-person-who-said-i-woulda-coulda-shoulda-life/)

[Joy Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-bryant/)

> [Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it so badly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/life-is-too-short-or-too-long-for-me-to-allow-myself-the-luxury-of/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [Look. We both know life is short, Macy. Too short to waste a single second with anyone who doesn't appreciate and value you." You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/look-we-both-know-life-is-short-macy-too-short-to-waste-a-single/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [Look. We both know life is short, Macy. Too short to waste a single second with anyone who doesn't appreciate and value you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/look-we-both-know-life-is-short-macy-too-short-to-waste-a-single-2/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [I still find each day too short..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/i-still-find-each-day-too-short/)

[John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/)

> [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/)

[Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/)

## More by Mary Wortley Montagu

> [A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/a-face-is-too-slight-a-foundation-for-happiness/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [The pious farmer, who ne'er misses pray'rs, With patience suffers unexpected rain; He blesses Heav'n for what its bounty spares, And sees, resign'd, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/the-pious-farmer-who-ne-er-misses-pray-rs-with-patience-suffers/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [People wish their enemies dead - but I do not; I say give them the gout, give them the stone!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/people-wish-their-enemies-dead-but-i-do-not-i-say-give-them-the-gout/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/i-despise-the-pleasure-of-pleasing-people-that-i-despise/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [One can never outlive one's vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/one-can-never-outlive-one-s-vanity/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [Nobody should trust their virtue with necessity, the force of which is never known till it is felt, and it is therefore one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/nobody-should-trust-their-virtue-with-necessity-the-force-of-which-is/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [Let this great maxim be my virtue's guide,- In part she is to blame that has been tried: He comes too near that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/let-this-great-maxim-be-my-virtue-s-guide-in-part-she-is-to-blame/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [I believe more follies are committed out of complaisance to the world, than in following our own inclinations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/i-believe-more-follies-are-committed-out-of-complaisance-to-the-world/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [We are educated in the grossest ignorance, and no art omitted to stifle our natural reason; if some few get above their nurses instructions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/we-are-educated-in-the-grossest-ignorance-and-no-art-omitted-to/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [people never write calmly but when they write indifferently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/people-never-write-calmly-but-when-they-write-indifferently/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [ It is 11 years since I have seen my figure in a glass \[mirror\]. The last reflection I saw there was so disagreeable I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/it-is-11-years-since-i-have-seen-my-figure-in-a-glass-mirror-the-last/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [“None strive to know their proper merit But strain for wisdom, beauty, spirit And lose the praise that is their due When they've the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/none-strive-to-know-their-proper-merit-but-strain-for-wisdom-beauty/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [Miserable is the fate of writers: if they are agreeable, they are offensive; and if dull, they starve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/miserable-is-the-fate-of-writers-if-they-are-agreeable-they-are/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [I have never, in all my various travels, seen but two sorts of people I mean men and women, who always have been, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/i-have-never-in-all-my-various-travels-seen-but-two-sorts-of-people-i/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

> [Nature is indeed a specious ward, nay, there is a great deal in it if it is properly understood and applied, but I cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/nature-is-indeed-a-specious-ward-nay-there-is-a-great-deal-in-it-if/)

[Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

[Explore all 96 Mary Wortley Montagu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/)

## More Life quotes

> [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/)

[Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/)

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/)

[Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/)

> [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/)

[Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/)

> [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/)

[Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/)

> [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/)

Deanna L. Lawlis

> [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/)

[Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/)

> [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/)

[Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/)

[Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/)

> [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/)

[Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/)

[Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Life is too short for a long story",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mary Wortley Montagu"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Life"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/mary-wortley-montagu-6947_life_life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story-14144_1414483.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Life is too short for a long story” — Mary Wortley Montagu",
                "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": "Mary Wortley Montagu",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Life is too short for a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/life-is-too-short-for-a-long-story/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
