Talk less

Talk less — say more.
Nothing stands in the way of a good laugh more than a joke that is wordier than necessary. The fewer the words, the greater the laugh. The size of the laugh you get is inversely proportional to the number of
words used to reach the punch line. Once again the adage less is more becomes the rule.
Note the number of words used in some of the greatest works ever written: The Lord’s Prayer — 56 words, 23rd Psalm — 118 words, Ten Commandments — 297 words,
United States Department of Agriculture Regulation Governing the Price of Cabbage — 15,629 words.
This classic story is a good illustration: Marjorie became attracted to the art of flower arrangement. When she entered competitions she didn’t do well and finally asked one of the judges for advice. The kindly old judge gave her three envelopes to be opened one at a time when she next tried her hand. The message in the first envelope read: Take out half of your flowers and rearrange the rest. Marjorie did so. The second message was like the first: Take out half of your flowers and rearrange the rest. She did as requested. The third message was the same. Marjorie followed instructions and won First Prize. These final words from the Bard of Avon: “Brevity is the soul of wit.”