Rene Daumal Quotes

A cliche is like a coin that has been handled too much. Once language has been overly handled, it no longer leaves a clear imprint.

Words should be employed as the means, not the end; language is the instrument, conviction is the work.

The chief virtue that language can have is clearness, and nothing detracts from it so much as the use of unfamiliar words.

Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you.

That is not good language which all understand not.

Don't use big words. They mean so little.

When language is used without true significance, it loses its purpose as a means of communication and becomes an end in itself.

People write or speak sentences in order to produce an effect, and the success of a sentence is measured by the degree to which the desired effect has been achieved.

We always speak well when we manage to be understood.

The real problem in speech is not precise language. The problem is clear language.

The slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.

I'd come to realize that all our troubles spring from our failure to use plain, clear-cut language.

Use familiar words-words that your readers will understand, and not words they will have to look up. No advice is more elementary, and no advice is more difficult to accept. When we feel an impulse to use a marvelously exotic word, let us lie down until the impulse goes away.

Sometimes it takes you awhile to get to it, but you always get there, and what you say is always worth waiting for.

Good thoughts not delivered mean squat.

True ideas lead us into useful verbal and conceptual quarters as well as directly up to useful sensible termini. They lead to consistency, stability and flowing human intercourse.

Study words so that you can use them significantly, effectively, worthily.

Language designed to impress builds a gulf. Language to express builds a bridge.

If the reader doesn't understand what you're saying, you're talking to yourself.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say, 'Me, too!' versus 'So what?'

My God! The English language is a form of communication! Conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at! Where you've got to duck for your life and aim to kill! Words aren't only bombs and bullets — no, they're little gifts, containing meanings!

Complexity means distracted effort. Simplicity means focused effort.

I think that as you learn more about writing you learn to be direct.

The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing.