Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Every word that is unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unnecessary words clutter the mind and dilute communication.
This quote by Cicero highlights the importance of clarity and conciseness in communication. It suggests that when we include extraneous words, we distract from the core message and overwhelm the listener, much like an overflowing cup that cannot hold any more liquid. Thus, it advocates for thoughtful expression, urging us to convey ideas in a straightforward manner.
Themes
CommunicationClarityConcisenessWisdomThoughtfulness
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about effective communication, you might quote Cicero to emphasize the value of brevity.
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Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.
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