"یک روشنفکر کسی است که بیش از حد لازم از کلمات استفاده می‌کند تا بیش از آنچه می‌داند بگوید."

The core idea here is pretty straightforward. It’s saying that an intellectual, or someone who fancies themselves as one, tends to overcomplicate what they’re trying to say. They use a lot of words and often end up saying less, or at least, no more than someone who just speaks plainly.

This quote can be attributed to Dwight D. Eisenhower, a man known for his straightforwardness. During his time, there was a lot of political jargon and convoluted speech. He probably got fed up with people using fancy language to sound smart without actually adding any real substance. Imagine sitting in a meeting with someone who goes on and on with big words and elaborate sentences, but you leave not knowing what they were trying to say. Frustrating, right?

Let's talk about a real-life scenario. Think of a business meeting where a manager is trying to explain a new strategy. If this manager is trying too hard to sound intellectual, they might use complex jargon and lengthy explanations. This could confuse the team rather than enlighten them. Instead of saying, "We need to leverage our core competencies to exploit synergies," they could simply say, "Let's focus on what we do best and work together." The latter is clear, direct, and everyone gets it.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? First off, keep things simple. If you catch yourself using a lot of fancy words, pause and ask if they’re really necessary. Think about your audience. Are you speaking in a way that they’ll understand easily? If not, simplify. Use plain language. It’s not about dumbing things down; it’s about clear communication. Also, be concise. If you can say something in fewer words, do it. It doesn’t make you any less intelligent.

Let’s dive into a relatable story. Picture a young professional, Maria, who just started a job at a marketing firm. She’s eager to impress and often finds herself using industry jargon she’s picked up, thinking it makes her sound more knowledgeable. During one meeting, her manager notices and gives her some feedback. He says, “Maria, you don’t need to use all those big words. Just be clear and to the point. It’ll make your ideas stronger.” Maria takes this to heart. The next time she presents, she uses simple, direct language. Her team understands her ideas immediately, and she receives positive feedback for her clear communication. She realizes that being clear is more effective than trying to sound smart.

Imagine you’re trying to explain a complex topic to a friend. If you wrap it up in academic language and long-winded sentences, your friend might just nod along without really getting it. But if you break it down, use simple words, and get to the point, they’ll likely grasp it quickly.

In the end, it’s about communication. Speak in a way that’s easy to understand. Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. And remember, it’s not the number of words that matters, but how well you convey your message. So, next time you’re tempted to sound “intellectual,” think again. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and you’ll get your point across much more effectively.