My liege, and madam, to expostulateWhat majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time,Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,I will be brief.

Like all sweet dreams, it will be brief, but brevity makes sweetness, doesn't it?

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending and to have the two as close together as possible.

To write good poems is the secret of brevity.

Against the censurers of brevity. - Something said briefly can be the fruit of much long thought: but the reader who is a novice in this field, and has as yet reflected on it not at all, sees in everything said briefly something embryonic, not without censuring the author for having served him up such immature and unripened fare.

It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.

I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter., 1657)

When we fully understand the brevity of life, its fleeting joys and unavoidable pains; when we accept the facts that all men and women are approaching an inevitable doom: the consciousness of it should make us more kindly and considerate of each other. This feeling should make men and women use their best efforts to help their fellow travelers on the road, to make the path brighter and easier as we journey on. It should bring a closer kinship, a better understanding, and a deeper sympathy for the wayfarers who must live a common life and die a common death.

I'd like to get away from earth awhileAnd then come back to it and begin over.May no fate wilfully misunderstand meAnd half grant what I wish and snatch me awayNot to return. Earth's the right place for love:I don't know where it's likely to go better.

...brevity is the soul of wit...

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

Never be so brief as to become obscure.

Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long.

All pleasantry should be short; and it might even be as well were the serious short also.

Men of few words are the best men.

To be brief is almost a condition of being inspired.

Brevity is very good, When we are, or are not understood.

Least said is soonest disavowed.

Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words.

When I struggle to be terse, I end by being obscure.