In Praise Of Short Words

When we deal with big thoughts there is no rule that says we have to use big words. In fact, for most of our needs, short words are just as good as long ones. Still, most of us find that it’s hard to say what we mean with plain words. We tend to use a lot of big words when a few small ones would do. To say the least can be the best way to say the most.

Most of us have learned not to trust the kinds of big words used by those who lie. Of course, not all big words are used to hide the truth, nor do all those who use big words mean to lie. But we all know that big words are used to lie and make fools of us. We all know this is true, but  we don’t act on what we know,  and so we let their lies trap us. 

More and more these days our minds are filled with big new words we see and hear that are meant to sell us false dreams. These big new words and the false dreams may seem real to us at first, but in the end these words lead to mind traps that hold us in their grip and don’t let go. The odd thing is that while most of the time most of us know in our hearts, and our minds, that such dreams are false and will fail, and trap us, we don’t trust what our hearts and minds tell us. We just don’t seem to learn, do we?

That’s why I say that small words are the best way to find our true voice when we want to speak of things we feel deep in our heart like love, pain, joy, dreams, fears, and hopes. The use of plain words makes us work hard to seek core thoughts and truths, and bright clean small words leave no dark place for lies, half truths, or vague thoughts to hide.

To write or speak this way gives us a kind of strength that we lose if we choose big words that just sound good and don’t take on their share of the work as we try to give voice to what we see, and to let the world hear what is in our heart. When we speak or write from a true heart and clear mind then we will find that it is the small words that best help us to speak our truth.

The Rule Of One is a good guide to a style that will keep us true to what we mean to say. This rule says that when you have a thing to say that you want to be clear to all who hear you, you must try to say what you mean with words that have just one beat, one clear, plain pulse. When you tune your ear and tongue to this Rule of One, you will find that your mind, tongue and pen flow with streams of crisp, clear words.

There will be times when you need big words to say what you mean, and of course that’s fine. Big words are there for us when we need to deal with things that are so wide and deep that small words just won’t do. But I find that if I work hard to use plain words when I can, more of my thoughts seem to get through to more of those who I want to reach.

We all know how hard it is to be clear and to the point when we try to deal with big thoughts.  We tend to think that plain words are not worth as much as those with more depth and breadth. While it is clear that we can’t use short words in all that we say and write, each of us can do more than we do now to make our thoughts clear with the use of short, plain words.

Small words are the beat of our heart and the seeds of our mind, and the skill to use them with grace and art is a true gift. Each of us knows what words like love, hope, joy, fear, and pain mean. What such words mean is just there, in our shared minds, like bright stars that glow in the night sky where we all can see them and know what they are and what they mean. They guide us in our search for a way to speak so that each voice will be heard.

So my friends, let’s try to use the small, shared words that make our voice and mind clear and sharp. If a big, or new word is our best choice, then we should not fear to use it, but our minds and tongues are so rich with crisp, brisk, clear, short words that we should try to make them the heart of what we say and write.

Short words are like old friends; they will not let you down.