Words are the coins making up the currency of sentences, and there are always too many small coins

Words are the coins making up the currency of sentences, and there are always too many small coins

Jules Renard, a French author known for his witty and insightful observations on life, once said, “Words are the coins making up the currency of sentences, and there are always too many small coins.” This quote encapsulates the essence of Renard’s writing style, which is characterized by its economy of language and precision in conveying complex emotions and ideas.

Renard was a master of the short story form, often using sparse and carefully chosen words to create vivid and evocative scenes. His writing was marked by a keen attention to detail and a deep understanding of human nature, which allowed him to capture the essence of a moment or a feeling with remarkable clarity.

In the context of Renard’s work, the idea that words are like coins in a currency is particularly apt. Just as coins have different values and can be exchanged for goods and services, words have different meanings and connotations that can be used to convey a wide range of emotions and ideas. However, just as there are too many small coins cluttering up a purse or a pocket, there are also too many words that can clutter up a sentence and obscure its meaning.

Renard’s skill as a writer lay in his ability to sift through the clutter of words and find the ones that were most essential and most evocative. By choosing his words carefully and using them sparingly, he was able to create sentences that were both powerful and precise, conveying complex emotions and ideas with a minimum of fuss.