When you doubt between words, use the plainest, the commonest, the most idiomatic. Eschew fine words as you would rouge; love simple ones as you would the native roses on your cheek.
Interpretation
Opt for simple and clear language over complex or pretentious words.
This quote emphasizes the importance of using straightforward and commonly understood language when expressing thoughts. It suggests that clarity should take precedence over complexity, as simple words are more genuine and relatable, akin to the natural beauty of native roses compared to the artificiality of makeup.
In practice
During a public speaking event, when introducing complex concepts, one might use this quote to encourage clear communication.
There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you already know.
He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero.
Where pride begins, love ceases.
Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.
Three days of uninterrupted company in a vehicle will make you better acquainted with another, than one hour's conversation with him every day for three years.
I've always felt that a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting points of view he can entertain simultaneously on the same topic.
The biggest misconception about work is that you need to spend the majority of your time doing it.
While there's life, there's hope.
Mother, who has an absolute belief that it is not the cards that one is dealt in life, it is how one plays them, is, by far, the highest card I was dealt.
If I found a healing tree in my backyard, and it grew some sort of fruit that was a healing balm for people to repair what was damaged, I'm not going to just harvest all of those fruits and say, 'You cant have this.' If I have a cure for people, I'm going to share it.
The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.
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