#wordiness — Public Fediverse posts

A quotation from Addison

Method is not less requisite in ordinary conversation than in writing, provided a man would talk to make himself understood. I who hear a thousand coffee-house debates every day, am very sensible of this want of method in the thoughts of my honest countrymen. There is not one dispute in ten which is managed in those schools of politics, where, after the first three sentences, the question is not entirely lost. Our disputants put me in mind of the scuttle-fish, that when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens all the water about him, till he becomes invisible.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1712-09-05), The Spectator, No. 476

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/addison-joseph/39292…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #addison #argument #clarity #communication #debate #dispute #obfuscation #rhetoric #understanding #wordiness

A quotation from The Bible

In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
 
[Προσευχόμενοι δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί, δοκοῦσιν γὰρ ὅτι ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν εἰσακουσθήσονται. μὴ οὖν ὁμοιωθῆτε αὐτοῖς· οἶδεν γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὧν χρείαν ἔχετε πρὸ τοῦ ὑμᾶς αἰτῆσαι αὐτόν.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Matthew 6: 7-8 (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]

Sourcing, notes, alternate translations: wist.info/bible-nt/75800/

#quote #quotes #quotation #gabble #God #longwindedness #needs #omniscience #petition #prayer #wordiness

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I used to hate writing assignments, but now I enjoy them. I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-11)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/watterson-bill/4095/

#quote #quotes #quotation #academia #academics #clarity #jargon #logorrhea #obscurity #school #writing #thesis #assignment #termpaper #wordiness #miscommunication

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I used to hate writing assignments, but now I enjoy them. I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-11)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/watterson-bill/4095/

#quote #quotes #quotation #academia #academics #clarity #jargon #logorrhea #obscurity #school #writing #thesis #assignment #termpaper #wordiness #miscommunication

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I used to hate writing assignments, but now I enjoy them. I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-11)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/watterson-bill/4095/

#quote #quotes #quotation #academia #academics #clarity #jargon #logorrhea #obscurity #school #writing #thesis #assignment #termpaper #wordiness #miscommunication

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I used to hate writing assignments, but now I enjoy them. I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-11)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/watterson-bill/4095/

#quote #quotes #quotation #academia #academics #clarity #jargon #logorrhea #obscurity #school #writing #thesis #assignment #termpaper #wordiness #miscommunication

A quotation from Bill Watterson

CALVIN: I used to hate writing assignments, but now I enjoy them. I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1993-02-11)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/watterson-bill/4095/

#quote #quotes #quotation #academia #academics #clarity #jargon #logorrhea #obscurity #school #writing #thesis #assignment #termpaper #wordiness #miscommunication