Contrary Quote by Washington Irving
“He who thinks much says but little in proportion to his thoughts. He selects that language which will convey his ideas in the most explicit and direct manner. He tries to compress as much thought as possible into a few words. On the contrary, the man who talks everlastingly and promiscuously, who seems to have an exhaustless magazine of sound, crowds so many words into his thoughts that he always obscures, and very frequently conceals them.”
About This Quote
Thoughtful speech is concise, aiming to express ideas clearly with minimal words, while excessive talking dilutes meaning and can hide true intent.
In simple terms: Concise speech reveals thought; verbosity obscures it.
Key Takeaway
Brevity clarifies, verbosity confuses.
Themes
communication
clarity
verbosity
thoughtfulness
expression
language
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
aphorism
advice
observation
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing
- teaching
- debates
- interviews
Key Concepts
conciseness
clarity
obfuscation
self-censorship
Practical Applications
- editing
- speechwriting
Questions to Reflect On
- How does word choice affect perception of intelligence?
- When is brevity more persuasive than detail?
