Truth needs not the ornament of many words, it is most lovely then when least adorned. There are circumstances, however, in which art may honestly be used; when we have any afflicting news to communicate, it is often necessary to prepare the mind for its reception by some general observations: or when we would persuade a person to do what we know to be unpleasant, but which we believe would be ultimately to his advantage; or would recal him from courses or connections, we believe to be injurious to his fame or fortune. In these cases a blunt declaration of our intentions would defeat the proposed end, and we must have recourse to a little art and management to engage the attention of the persons whom we wish to persuade. The proverb is opposed to those who, by a multiplicity of words, endeavour to obscure the truth, and to induce those they converse with to entertain opinions very different to what they would have formed, if the story had been told in a plain and simple manner. Two architects having offered themselves as candidates to ereet a public building at Athens, the one described in a florid and ostentatious manner, all the parts of the building, and with what ornaments he would complete it; when he had finished, the other only said, "My lords, what this man has said, I will do." He was elected.
