Brevity or Verbosity? A Vapor or Substance?
I will make this brief. To quote someone who realized that it is work to be brief: “I have made this letter longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter.” — Blaise Pascal
I admire brevity. When I teach a class in our church and ask for participation, there are generally two types of responses. One type is usually brief, wise, and carefully stated. The other type of response tends to be longer and often more rambling. It often feels like the person with more words is trying to say how much they know about the topic and less about the heart of the matter. Furthermore, the long answer tends to make those with fewer words think that their words are insufficient. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Loquaciousness means being very talkative—using many words or speaking at length. A loquacious person may talk freely and enthusiastically, though the word can sometimes imply more talking than necessary.
Brevity isn’t always best, but for a listener it generally is far better. The same can be said for teaching and preaching. Longer isn’t necessarily better.
It is certainly true of politicians. “Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” – commonly attributed to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Wisdom About Words
Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
Proverbs 29:11 “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
Proverbs 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
They have a perspective about the impact of their words and they measure them as if God were listening. He is listening, you know.
“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
