"La macrologie peut sentir l'artifice mais la brièveté peut aussi masquer la falsification."

Sometimes, when we use a lot of words, it can come across as fake or overdone. But being brief isn’t always the answer either—it can hide the truth. Simple, right? The core idea here is about finding a balance between saying too much and saying too little.

Let’s put this in some context. Imagine a politician giving a speech. If they keep talking in circles, using fancy words and long sentences, we might think they’re trying to pull the wool over our eyes. It sounds insincere, like they’re trying too hard. On the other hand, if they’re too brief, giving just yes or no answers, they might be hiding something—like they’re not telling the whole story.

Here’s a real-life example to make it clear. Think about a courtroom. There’s a witness on the stand. If they go on and on, detailing every tiny thing with big words, the jury might get suspicious. It feels like they’re overcompensating or trying to confuse everyone. But if they’re too brief, just answering “yes” or “no,” it might seem like they’re hiding details or not being fully honest. Both extremes can be misleading.

So, how do we apply this in our everyday lives? Well, it’s all about balance. When you’re explaining something important, don’t drown your listener in unnecessary details, but also don’t leave out key information. Be clear and concise, but thorough enough to paint the full picture.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and they ask for advice about a job they’re interested in. If you ramble on and on about every single aspect of the job market, they’ll zone out and probably miss the important parts. But if you just say, “Yeah, sounds good, go for it,” you’re not giving them enough info to make an informed decision. Instead, you could say, “I think it’s a great opportunity because it aligns with your skills in X and Y. Plus, the company culture seems like a good fit for you. But remember, the commute might be a bit of a hassle.” This way, you’re being helpful without overwhelming them or leaving out important considerations.

Let’s bring this back to a relatable story. Think about when you were in school, and you had to write a book report. If you wrote pages and pages about every single chapter, your teacher might think you didn’t really understand the book—you just copied down a bunch of stuff. But if you turned in a one-paragraph summary, they’d think you didn’t read it at all. The best reports were the ones that highlighted the main points, offered some analysis, and showed you understood the core themes without getting lost in the weeds.

In our communication, whether it’s writing, speaking, or even texting, finding that sweet spot between too much and too little is key. It keeps things honest and genuine. So next time you explain something, think about how to be clear and concise, but also thorough enough to be truthful. Your listeners will appreciate it.