"The present letter is a very long..." - Quote by Blaise Pascal
The present letter is a very long one, simply because I had no leisure to make it shorter.
More by Blaise Pascal
“It is not certain that everything is uncertain.”
“To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity. The greatness of the human soul is shown by knowing how to keep within proper bounds. There are two equally dangerous extremes- to shut reason out, and not to let nothing in.”
“Quelque e tendue d'esprit que l'on ait, l'on n'est capable que d'une grande passion. However vast a man's spirit, he is only capable of one great passion.”
More on Writing
“Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.”
“You don't go to other books and take little pieces because although say a romantic scene may have been many times before all the details of who it is, where it is, are so intertwined in that text that it's easier to write it from scratch.”
“Write 1000 words a day. That's only about four pages, but force yourself to do it. Put your finger down your throat and throw up. That's what writing's all about.”
More on Brevity
“Speeches that are measured by the hour will die with the hour.”
“My liege, and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief.”
“Brevity is the best recommendation of speech, whether in a senator or an orator.”