Simplifying the Coptic faith to the new generation
Letters — Letter 54 — To Nicobulus
On Laconicism.
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Letter 54 — To Nicobulus
Source: Translated by Charles Gordon Browne and James Edward Swallow. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series , Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. ( Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894. ) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3103c.htm>.
On Laconicism. Being laconic does not simply mean, as you think, writing few words, but rather saying a great deal in few words. For example, I consider Homer very brief and Antimachus long-winded. Why? Because I measure length by the content and not by the number of letters.
On Laconicism. To be laconic is not merely, as you suppose, to write few words, but to say a great deal in few words. Thus I call Homer very brief and Antimachus lengthy. Why? Because I measure the length by the matter and not by the letters.
