Satisfyingly Brief: Less is More in the World of Words 💡
Ah, the joy of brevity! As the saying goes, “satisfyingly brief.” Richard Taverner quoted this term as an English proverb back in 1539, and it has been repeated ever since. James Kelly expanded it with “Better short and sweet than long and lax” in 1721, and F. K. Purdon gave it a delightful twist with “Short and sweet like an ass’s gallop” in 1914. The essence remains: sometimes, less truly is more.
Related Terms and Synonyms:
- Concise: Precise and clear without superfluous details.
- Succinct: Briefly and clearly expressed.
- Pithy: Concise and full of meaning.
- Laconic: Using very few words.
- Terse: Sparing in the use of words; abrupt.
Related Proverbs:
- “Brevity is the soul of wit.” - William Shakespeare
- “Less is more.” - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Similar Expressions:
- “Cut to the chase”: Get to the point without wasting time.
- “In a nutshell”: Describing something as briefly as possible.
- “Say less”: A modern take, implying agreement and understanding without needing further explanation.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” - Mark Twain
- “I apologize for the long letter. I didn’t have time to write a short one.” - Blaise Pascal
Recommended Reads:
-
Books:
- “The Elements of Style” by Strunk & White
- “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott
-
Poetry:
- “Emphasis on brevity” in Haiku poems.
-
Movies:
- “Short Cuts” directed by Robert Altman. A delightfully interconnected series of short stories.
-
Songs:
- “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” by Cake - Because musical brevity can be sweet too.
Quizzes:
In the grand scheme of conversations and communications, remember: being satisfyingly brief doesn’t mean you lack depth; it means you value the time and understanding of those you communicate with. And isn’t that beautiful in its simplicity?
Thank you for exploring the joy of “satisfyingly brief.” Until next time, may your words be concise, bright, and impactful.
Richard ShortnSweet signing off, 2023. 🌟
