Any one who wishes to become a good writer should endeavour, before he allows himself to be tempted by the more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.

The obvious is better than obvious avoidance of it.

We tell our thoughts, like our children, to put on their hats and coats before they go out.

After all, it is an ancient and valuable right of the English people to turn their nouns into verbs when they are so minded.

Be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.

Any one who wishes to become a good writer should endeavour, before he allows himself to be tempted by the more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.

It need hardly be said that shortness is a merit in words.