Brevity Quote by Voltaire
“All pleasantry should be short; and it might even be as well were the serious short also.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Candide, 1759
Brief humor works best; seriousness should also be concise.
In simple terms: Keep jokes and seriousness short.
Key Takeaway
Be concise in both light and serious tones.
Themes
brevity
humor
seriousness
Mood
witty
reflective
Type
aphilosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- social conversation
- public speaking
- writing
- teaching
Key Concepts
communication
literary style
Questions to Reflect On
- When does brevity harm clarity?
- How to balance humor and seriousness?
A Different Perspective
Over‑brevity may omit needed nuance.
![“The powerful hold in deep remembrance an ill-timed pleasantry. [Lat., Facetiarum apud praepotentes in longum memoria est.]” quote by Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c9/tacitus-1552_ill_the-powerful-hold-in-deep-remembrance-an_2657655.jpg)
