Echoes

The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity.

Although there is no substitute for merit in writing, clarity comes closest to being one.

Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

I have always been fond of the West African proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Well done is better than well said.

All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.

Right here let me make as vigorous a plea as I know how in favor of saying nothing that we do not mean, and of acting without hesitation up to whatever we say. A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far." If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.

Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.

I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds.

I would prefer inarticulate wisdom to loquacious foolishness.

Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.

Don't let anyone impose on you. Don't be quarrelsome, but stand up for your rights. If you've got to fight, fight hard and well. To my mind, a coward is the only thing meaner than a liar.

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.

Know how to refuse. One ought not to give way in everything nor to everybody.

Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready.

The most any one can do is to confess as candidly as he can the grounds for the faith that is in him, and leave his example to work on others as it may.

Silence is a source of great strength.

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

The surest way to arouse and hold the reader's attention is by being specific, definite, and concrete. The greatest writers — Homer, Dante, Shakespeare — are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures.

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

When you have decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, though many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid of those who shall find fault wrongly?