“True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and nothing but what is necessary.”François de La Rochefoucauld · Maxime · 1665 · Maxima 250
La Rochefoucauld rejects the idea that eloquence lies in many or complicated words. It consists of precision and restraint: saying everything relevant without adding anything unnecessary. For example, an effective political speech is not the longest one, but the one that conveys the essentials without digressions.
Why it matters In the age of rapid communication, this principle helps us be clearer and more persuasive, saving everyone's time.