It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth into a liar – that I call an achievement.

Horace

The Quote in Other Words

It is easy to be concise when you have something important to say, like Tacitus. But when you have nothing to say and still manage to write a whole book, twisting the truth in the process, that is truly impressive.

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the importance of substance over brevity in communication. It suggests that it is easy to be concise when one has a clear message to convey, but it takes true skill to write at length without sacrificing truth and accuracy. The quote also touches on the danger of using language to manipulate truth, as the act of writing a whole book without anything meaningful to say can distort reality and deceive readers. Ultimately, the quote challenges us to value substance and integrity in our communication, rather than simply striving for brevity or quantity. It reminds us that the true art of writing lies in conveying meaningful ideas with honesty and clarity, rather than simply filling pages with empty words.