Quotes about Directness

The shortest distance between two points is not a straight line—it's a middleman. And the more middlemen, the shorter.

I find in my poetry and prose the rhythms and imagery of the best - I mean, when I'm at my best - of the good Southern black preachers. The lyricism of the spirituals and the directness of gospel songs and the mystery of blues are in my music or in my poetry and prose, or I missed everything.

As for dialogue, I think it keeps things moving to cut to the chase.

The key here is to be direct. You don't want to be passive, because being passive communicates weakness. In this e-mail you are clearly making an offer. The formula might look like this:

There is no wisdom like frankness.

Jesus did not stand as a prophet and utter judgements; wherever He went the unerring directness of His presence located men.

Honesty demands directness: God has to discipline us to transform us.

Only fools imply compliments. The wise man comes right out with it, point-blank. Imply criticism--unless the criticized isn't within earshot.

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile-driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!

My politics are short and sweet, like the old woman's dance.

During conflict, it is tempting to complain to a third party rather than courageously speak the truth in love to the person you're upset with. This makes the matter worse. Instead, you should go directly to the person involved.

I often marveled that the interior peace of the woman was reflected so faithfully in her surroundings. Even the selection and arrangements of her possessions gave an aura of uncluttered calm. In addition, there was a directness in her approach to all of life--including housekeeping--that never failed to fascinate me. Miss Alice was a person to whom color, symmetry of line and contrast of texture were important.