“The excessive display of second-rate imagination which some men make so offensive, drives other men to the opposite extreme, so that they shrink from illustration and imagery where they are really needful” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 405).
Imagine the Point
“It is thus mainly through imagination that we touch the feelings, and thereby bring truth powerfully to bear upon the will, which is the end and very essence of eloquence” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 399).
Some Assembly Required
“Piles of brick and lumber and sand are as much a house, as the mere piling up of thoughts will constitute a discourse” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 397).
The Edge of the Sword
“It is a matter on which preachers seldom bestow any thoughtful attention; and yet few things are so important to their real success, as the possession, the culture, the control, of imagination” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 396).
Imagination is More Than Lots of Adjectives
“The popular conception of imagination still is, that it assist the orator only in the way of producing high-wrought imagery, in letting off such fire-works of fancy as sophomores affect, and half-educated people admire” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 395).
Challenging Simplicity
“True simplicity of style, which is at once intelligible, which has an easy movement, a natural beauty and a natural variety, requires patient thought, disciplined imagination, and thorough mastery of language” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 394).
Because It Pretends Not to be a Hypocrite
“The worst of all affectations in style is the affectation of simplicity” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 393).
Not a Bank Shot
“You may make an idea plain by repeated and varied statement and illustration; a simple style makes it plain at once” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 391).
Far Better
“But better harsh strength than smooth weakness” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 388).
Whether Silk or Plastic
“The flowers suitable in serious discourse are never artificial flowers” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 386).