--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let the reader find that he cannot afford…" description: "\"Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word that he can spare.\" — Ralph Waldo Em..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png" --- # Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line… ![“Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word that he can spare.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png) > “Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word that he can spare.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Every line matters; omitting words deprives the reader of essential meaning. **In simple terms:** Every word counts. Key Takeaway Write with precision and purpose. Themes writing clarity communication Mood analytical instructive Type literary educational When to use this quote - editing drafts - academic papers - novel writing Key Concepts conciseness reader engagement literary craft Questions to Reflect On - Which lines feel indispensable? - How does brevity serve your message? A Different Perspective Over‑editing can strip voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [For reasons of national security and out of consideration for some people still alive I have omitted certain material. Some of this material cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/for-reasons-of-national-security-and-out-of-consideration-for-some/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [You could omit anything if you knew that the omitted part would strengthen the short story and make people feel something more than they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/you-could-omit-anything-if-you-knew-that-the-omitted-part-would/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [In most books, the I, of first person, is omitted; in this it will be retained; that, in respect to egotism, is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-most-books-the-i-of-first-person-is-omitted-in-this-it-will-be/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Then I started to think in Lipp’s about when I had first been able to write a story about losing everything. It was up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/then-i-started-to-think-in-lipp-s-about-when-i-had-first-been-able-to/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [I omitted nothing to persuade Garibaldi to drop his mad scheme.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cavour/i-omitted-nothing-to-persuade-garibaldi-to-drop-his-mad-scheme/) Cavour > [Those expressions are omitted which can not with propriety be read aloud in the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bowdler/those-expressions-are-omitted-which-can-not-with-propriety-be-read/) Thomas Bowdler > [“This was omitted on my new theory that you could omit anything if you knew that you omitted and the omitted part would strengthen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/this-was-omitted-on-my-new-theory-that-you-could-omit-anything-if-you/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [There is only one thing which interests me vitally now, and that is the recording of all that which is omitted in books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/there-is-only-one-thing-which-interests-me-vitally-now-and-that-is/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Those expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bowdler/those-expressions-are-omitted-which-cannot-with-propriety-be-read/) Thomas Bowdler > [Many people have told me that once they learn of Madam Walker's accomplishments they are surprised, even embarrassed, that they have never heard of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lelia-bundles/many-people-have-told-me-that-once-they-learn-of-madam-walker-s/) [A'Lelia Bundles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lelia-bundles/) > [Things omitted are often more deadly than errors committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/things-omitted-are-often-more-deadly-than-errors-committed/) [Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/) > [It is natural to think that an abstract science cannot be of much importance in affairs of human life, because it has omitted from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/it-is-natural-to-think-that-an-abstract-science-cannot-be-of-much/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [It is rather to be chosen than great riches, unless I have omitted something from the quotation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/it-is-rather-to-be-chosen-than-great-riches-unless-i-have-omitted/) [Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/) > [All the events said to have been witnessed by John alone are omitted by John alone. This fact seems fatal either to the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rathbone-greg/all-the-events-said-to-have-been-witnessed-by-john-alone-are-omitted/) William Rathbone Greg > [“I have omitted to give a detail of his words, from a notion that they would not interest the reader as they did me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/i-have-omitted-to-give-a-detail-of-his-words-from-a-notion-that-they/) [Anne Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Books 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/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. 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And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word that he can spare.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-afford-to-omit-any-line-of-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-afford-to-omit-any-line-of-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4a/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_books_let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-affor_933513.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted…” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "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": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Let the reader find that he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-afford-to-omit-any-line-of-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-the-reader-find-that-he-cannot-afford-to-omit-any-line-of-your/#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 } } ] } ```