Dorothy Parker - William Shakespeare - Friedrich Nietzsche - Thomas Jefferson - Dennis Roth - George Burns - George Eliot - Marcus Tullius Cicero - Francois de la Rochefoucauld - Blaise Pascal -
Brevity is the soul of lingerie. Dorothy Parker
cf.
Brevity is the soul of wit. William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Polonius to King & Queen, II ii 90
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what other men say in whole books – what other men do not say in whole books. Friedrich Nietzsche
Against the censurers of brevity – Something said briefly can be the fruit of much long thought: but the reader who is a novice in this field, and has as yet reflected on it not at all, sees in everything said briefly something embryonic, not without censuring the author for having served him up such immature and un-ripened fare. Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human
The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. Thomas Jefferson
If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought. Dennis Roth
In composing as a general rule run your pen through every word you have ever written; you have no idea what vigour it will give your style. Sydney Smith
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible. George Burns
But let the wise be warned against too great readiness at explanation: it multiplies the sources of mistake, lengthening the sum for reckoners sure to go wrong. George Eliot, Middlemarch
Brevity is the best recommendation of speech, whether in a senator or an orator. Marcus Tullius Cicero
True eloquence consists in saying all that should be said, and that only. François de la Rochefoucauld
Continuous eloquence wearies. Grandeur must be abandoned to be appreciated. Continuity in everything is unpleasant. Cold is agreeable, that we may get warm. Blaise Pascal