Documentation Quote by Terry Pratchett
![“[The clerk] held in front of him a scroll with a red wax seal affixed, the kind of thing believed to make a document official - or at least expensive and difficult to understand, which, in fact, amounts to the same thing.” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/58c/terry-pratchett-19_documentation_the-clerk-held-in-front-of-him-a-scroll_1618095.jpg)
““[The clerk] held in front of him a scroll with a red wax seal affixed, the kind of thing believed to make a document official - or at least expensive and difficult to understand, which, in fact, amounts to the same thing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Discworld series, possibly "The Color of Magic" or similar
Satirizes bureaucratic red‑tape that makes simple matters seem complex and costly
In simple terms: Official seals can mask unnecessary complexity
Key Takeaway
Question the purpose behind overly formal procedures
Themes
bureaucracy
complexity
satire
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- government paperwork
- legal contracts
- corporate policies
- academic citations
Key Concepts
administrative law
social critique
language theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When does formality add value versus hinder clarity?
- How can you simplify processes without losing essential safeguards?
A Different Perspective
It may assume all complexity is intentional, ignoring genuine necessity
