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.

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

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

Obscurity is the realm of error.
[Fr., L'obscurite est le royaume de l'erreur.]

Obscurity is the realm of error.
[Fr., L'obscurite est le royaume de l'erreur.]

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.]

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),

The gloomy comparisons of a disturbed imagination, the melancholy
madness of poetry without the inspiration.

The gloomy comparisons of a disturbed imagination, the melancholy
madness of poetry without the inspiration.

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.]

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.

Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit read more

Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit in pompous words express'd,
Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.

When Croft's "Life of Dr. Young" was spoken of as a good
imitation of Dr. Johnson's style, "No, no," read more

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."