The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or
addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties read more

The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or
addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties
are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say; but
the flowery style ought to be banished from a pleading, a sermon,
or a didactic work.
- Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire),

And, after all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge
of a great work, for an author read more

And, after all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge
of a great work, for an author can have nothing truly his own but
his style.

Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style.
Amaze th' learn'd, and make the learned smile.

Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style.
Amaze th' learn'd, and make the learned smile.

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.

Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.

All styles are good except the tiresome kind.
[Fr., Tous les genres sont bons, hors le genre ennuyeux.]

All styles are good except the tiresome kind.
[Fr., Tous les genres sont bons, hors le genre ennuyeux.]

Style! style! why, all writers will tell you that it is the very
thing which can least of all read more

Style! style! why, all writers will tell you that it is the very
thing which can least of all be changed. A man's style is nearly
as much a part of him as his physiognomy, his figure, the
throbbing of this pulse,--in short, as any part of his being is
at least subjected to the action of the will.

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.