Laconic Wit

The term “laconic" comes from the ancient Spartans (Sparta itself was the capital of Laconia).

Anyway, back to 'laconic'.

The Spartans were notoriously known for their brief and to-the-point manner of speech, which is now known in the modern world as 'laconic'.

It refers to speech that is concise.

The story that made this famous is the reply the Spartans gave to Philip II of Macedonia (father of Alexander the Great).

Philip was conquering everything under the sun and recruiting large armies by force or enticement to enlarge his campaign.

He tried to recruit the Spartans into his war, but as they had a policy of neutrality to anything not directly concerning them, they said no.

He had sent a letter to Sparta asking if he was to come as a friend or foe. If you read between the lines, you can deduce what he meant.

The Spartans replied with a single word, "Neither".

He furiously sent his messengers back to Sparta threatening, "If I invade Laconia, you will be slaves forever."

The Spartans responded:

"If."

Well, Philip II was brave, not foolish. The Spartans might have been a smaller army, but they were certainly not pushovers.

He decided an invasion was not worth the risk and expense and continued his campaign without them.

Laconic Wit

Though the term is generally used to refer to prudence in speech, it is just one derivative of a wider Spartan ethos of practicality and efficiency.

The Spartans were trained to focus their energies only on what they considered absolutely necessary and to avoid spending them on what was superfluous or generally wasteful - in lifestyle, in training, and in communication.

Laconic wit is an exercise in efficiency but requires clarity of thought.

You must know exactly what you intend to say and be clear on its intended effect.

Is life not still a game of snakes and ladders?

Now more than ever, you must conserve your energies.

Let laconic wit be the guiding thought for June.

Do not thrash around like the mindless mob.

What is not necessary to say, do not say.

What can be accomplished with less, do not embellish with more.

Do not be seduced by impertinent action.

There may be some measures of turbulence in the following months and you may have to lean on your reserves.

But by the same wind, you will also be presented opportunities for your advancement if you can discipline your energies to focus.

"IF."

Talk Soon,