When Croft's "Life of Dr. Young" was spoken of as a good
imitation of Dr. Johnson's style, "No, no," said he, "it is not a
good imitation of Johnson; it has all his pomp without his force;
it has all the nodosities of the oak, without its strength; it
has all the contortions of the sibyl, without the inspiration."
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
Style is a simple way of saying complicated things
Style is a simple way of saying complicated things
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.
I do not go down and sit in front of the computer and make myself write; that's not my style.
I do not go down and sit in front of the computer and make myself write; that's not my style.
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.]
Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches
Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches
A chaste and lucid style is indicative of the same personal
traits in the author.
A chaste and lucid style is indicative of the same personal
traits in the author.
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),
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.
Style is the dress of thoughts.
- Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield,
Style is the dress of thoughts.
- Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield,
