Fair words enough a man shall find,
They be good cheap, they cost right nought,
Their substance is but only wind,
But well to say, and so to mean,
That sweet accord is seldom seen.
—Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542)
For those of us in the business of
communicating concepts through words (and when you get right down to it, aren’t
we all?), it helps to review some basics about getting our messages heard
through the cacophony of noise. And for
the rest of us who have to sort out all the competing messages, we would give
anything for that priceless “sweet accord” that Sir Thomas Wyatt refers
to. The words that will get noticed are
those that are “seldom seen,” those fair few that meet at the intersection of
“well said” and “well meant.”
Sir Thomas Wyatt provides us a few timeless
lessons on finding that priceless “sweet accord” of fair words and truth:
1. Leave white
space. “Fair words enough a man shall find…”
Say/write only enough to get your message to your intended listener/reader. It
is always better to leave people wanting more than to suffocate them with well-intentioned
words.
2. On the other
hand… don’t be stingy with your fair words.
“They cost right nought…” There may be a day, a moment, an opportunity when you
are the one person who is there in the right place at the right time to say
something very true, very well, and very much needed. That is not the time for
white space.
3. Say your
most important things very well.
“Well to say…” Honor your best efforts by giving them your best words. You are not
going to change the world with your ground-breaking study of newfound truth if
no one can understand what you are saying (or if they are too bored by it to wait
for the punch line).
4. Use fine
words fittingly. “So to mean…”
Your loyal readers honor you with their eyes. Don’t betray that trust with
empty words or half-truths. If you have nothing of substance or meaning to
offer at this time, take a pass and leave space for the next messenger bearing
the substance of sweet accord.
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