March 29, 2008
-
This paradox is from Scripture.
“The more words, the less meaning, and how does that profit anyone?”
Every single statement has a value of meaning to it. Thus, shouldn’t adding more statements increase the amount of meaning? Shouldn’t a page of writing mean more than a paragraph, and a novel more than a short story?
The same truth, that adding more words may drain some meaning away, is also affirmed in Shakespeare’s, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” One quick remark can have an impact like a cannonball, while a longer one may be like a feather.
But I think it makes sense that less words would hold more meaning than many many words. After all, the New Testament is only a couple hundred pages, and there have probably been millions of pages written on it since.
Comments (6)
Simple and Sweet…
Hmm, very true re the NT. I’m afraid my writing skills do not live up to the idea, though. *thinking of her rambling*
I’m just not a classical person, though! =P I haven’t heard “We Will Rock You” before, but Jeff informed me that it would definitely not be my choice for a bridal march.
This was always explained to me in a simile involving a power washer. As in, a focused direct stream is powerful enough to chop through bone. I think it has anything to do with the attention span of the audience.
The only time I can see more words being desirable is when you’re being paid by the word.
That’s hot.
Interesting thoughts. That is something that I need to work on, saying things with fewer words.
Great Post! I love the last line of it. It hits like a cannon ball!