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About this quote

What does it mean?
A description of someone who speaks rarely and with great effort, implying deep thought or reluctance to communicate.
In plain terms
He spoke very few words and with difficulty.
What can you take from it?
Words carry weight when used sparingly.

Where it applies

  • conversation
  • public speaking
  • foreign language

Putting it to work

  • choose words wisely
  • value silence

Questions to consider

  • Why do we value sparse speech?
  • When is silence better?

Another view

It might misinterpret silence as depth rather than fear.

More from P. G. Wodehouse

  1. Love has had a lot of press-agenting from the oldest times; but there are higher, nobler things than love.

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  2. As a rule, you see, I'm not lugged into Family Rows. On the occasions when Aunt is calling Aunt like mastodons bellowing across premieval swamps and Uncle Jame…

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  3. Dark hair fell in a sweep over his forehead. He looked like a man who would write vers libre, as indeed he did.

    Permalink to quote #22

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