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"وکیل شخصی است که یک سند ده هزار کلمه‌ای می‌نویسد و آن را مختصر می‌نامد."

Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka Author
Translations
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Quote meaning
Sure, let's dive into it. The essence of the quote is all about the irony of the legal profession. Lawyers have this knack for creating incredibly detailed, extensive documents and then calling them something that's supposed to be short and to the point—a "brief." It's a bit of a jab at the profession, highlighting the almost paradoxical nature of legal writing.

Historically speaking, this quote probably emerged from the frustration or bemusement of those dealing with legal documents. The term "brief" originates from the Latin "brevis," meaning short. In the legal context, a brief is supposed to be a concise statement of a client's case. Yet, over time, as laws and cases have become more complex, these so-called "briefs" have ballooned in size. Lawyers, in their quest to cover every possible angle and precedent, end up writing documents that are anything but brief.

Imagine you're buying your first house. It's exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking. You hire a lawyer to help you navigate the contract. The lawyer hands you a "brief" to explain the contract. You think, "Great, a short summary!" But then you see it's a 50-page document. You start reading, and it's full of legal jargon and clauses, and soon your eyes glaze over. This is a real-life example of the quote in action. What was supposed to be a simple explanation has turned into a long, complex document.

So, how do you use this wisdom in your own life? First off, when dealing with legal matters, don't be afraid to ask your lawyer to summarize the key points verbally. Sometimes, having a conversation can cut through the dense fog of written text. Also, if you're writing something important, think about your audience. Will they really benefit from all the extra detail, or can you make your point more concisely? In many cases, less is more.

Let's put this idea into a relatable story. Imagine you're a university student, and you've been assigned a 10-page paper. Your first instinct might be to throw everything you know into it, to show off all your research. But then you remember this quote and think about your professor, who has to read dozens of these papers. Instead of burying her in information, you decide to focus on the most critical points, making your argument clear and compelling. You write concisely, and your professor—grateful for a paper that's both informative and easy to read—gives you an A.

In a nutshell, this quote is a humorous reminder that sometimes, the way we label things doesn't quite match the reality. It nudges us to be mindful of clarity and brevity, especially in a world that often equates more words with more value. Whether you're drafting an email, writing a report, or even just explaining something to a friend, remember: sometimes, a little brevity goes a long way. And hey, if you ever need to deal with a lawyer, at least you'll understand the irony when they hand you that "brief."
Related tags
Brevity Humor Lawyer Legal Legal humor Sarcasm Wordplay Writing
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