Avoiding Quote by Robin Williams
“Avoid using the word 'very' because it's lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don't use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason boys - to woo women - and in that endeavor, laziness will not do.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Good Morning, Vietnam, 1987
The quote critiques overuse of intensifiers, urging precise language and highlighting that language's purpose is to persuade, especially in romance, and that laziness undermines effectiveness.
In simple terms: Avoid vague intensifiers; be precise and purposeful in speech.
Key Takeaway
Choose exact words; avoid lazy filler.
Themes
language
precision
persuasion
romance
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
instructive
Type
advice
observational
humorous
When to use this quote
- writing
- public speaking
- dating
- advertising
- teaching
Key Concepts
semantics
rhetoric
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you convey intensity without overusing 'very'?
- When does precise language enhance persuasion?
A Different Perspective
Precise language may sound stiff or overly formal in casual contexts.
![“I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures [about Prophet Muhammad] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed in a scene in the wrong movie. But I don't see the fight as a clash of civilizations. Rather, we must focus on avoiding exactly this type of conflict. We have to…” quote by Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d8/anders-fogh-rasmussen-21056_acknowledgement_i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caric_14933.jpg)
