This quote implies that true eloquence is not something one can fake or force. It’s not about trying to be eloquent by using big words or complex sentences. Rather, it’s about genuine expression of thoughts and feelings in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner. True eloquence comes from being natural and authentic.
The quote suggests that the attempt to be something often results in an artificial portrayal of it. when one tries too hard to appear eloquent, it often leads to overcompensation which can result in sounding pretentious or insincere.
In contrast, being naturally expressive without conscious effort is what brings out real eloquence. This is because when we are truly ourselves, our words tend to flow more freely and honestly which makes our speech more compelling and persuasive.
Applying this idea into today’s world or personal development might involve focusing on authenticity rather than appearance. In a society where people often feel pressured to present themselves in a certain way on social media platforms or professional settings for instance, this quote serves as a reminder that real value lies in being authentic rather than appearing perfect.
In terms of personal development, embracing your own voice instead of trying hard to sound like someone else could lead you towards genuine growth and self-expression. By cultivating your unique style of interaction instead of mimicking others’, you would be able to express yourself more effectively and authentically which will ultimately make you more eloquent according to Lewes’ definition.
It also highlights the importance of practice – becoming truly good at anything requires consistent effort over time until the skill becomes second nature; similarly with eloquence – one cannot just try once but has to practice expressing their thoughts clearly until they become genuinely good at it.