Job Done Quote by Matthew Butterick
““First-line indents and space between paragraphs have the same relationship as belts and suspenders. You only need one to get the job done. Using both is a mistake.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Practical Typography by Matthew Butterick, 2010
Redundant formatting tools are unnecessary; choose one method to keep design clean and efficient.
In simple terms: Use one formatting tool, not both.
Simplify your layout.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing documents
- layout design
- editing
- publishing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which formatting rule do you over‑apply?
- How can you streamline your workflow?
Over‑reliance on multiple tools can cause inconsistency.