WIST Quotations

Montesquieu -- Pensées Diverses [Assorted Thoughts], # 828 / 1086 (1720-1755) [tr. Clark (2012)]

Dave — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:25:51 +0000

What orators lack in depth, they give you in length.

[Ce qui manque aux orateurs en profondeur, ils vous le donnent en longueur.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689–1755) French political philosopher
Pensées Diverses [Assorted Thoughts], # 828 / 1086 (1720-1755) [tr. Clark (2012)]

(Source (French)). Other translations:

What orators want in depth, they give you in length.
[ed. Taylor (1856)]

What orators want in depth, they make up to you in length.
[ed. Wood (1899)]

What orators want in depth, they make up for in length.
[ed. Harbottle/Dalbiac (1904)]

What is wanting in orators in depth, they make up to you in length.
[ed. Benham (1907)]

What orators lack in profundity, they will give you in length.
[tr. Dargan (1907)]

What orators lack in depth, they make up in length.
[ed. Jones (1908)]

What orators lack in depth, they make up to you in length.
[ed. Stevenson (1947)]

Milne, A. A. -- Winnie-the-Pooh, ch. 8 “Christopher Robin Leads an Expotition” (1926)

Dave — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:48:57 +0000

Owl was telling Kanga an Interesting Anecdote full of long words like Encyclopædia and Rhododendron to which Kanga wasn’t listening.

A. A. Milne (1882–1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh, ch. 8 “Christopher Robin Leads an Expotition” (1926)

Swift, Jonathan -- “Hints Towards an Essay on Conversation” (c. 1710)

Dave — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 21:39:09 +0000

It is not a Fault in Company to talk much; but to continue it long, is certainly one; for, if the Majority of those who are got together be naturally silent or cautious, the Conversation will flag, unless it be often renewed by one among them, who can start new Subjects, provided he doth not dwell upon them, but leaveth Room for Answers and Replies.

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) English writer and churchman
“Hints Towards an Essay on Conversation” (c. 1710)