And this work I have not set forth either with Elegancy of discourse or stile, nor with any other ornament whereby to captivate the reader, as others use, because I would not have it gain its esteem from elsewhere than from the truth of the matter, and the gravity of the subject.
"Machiavelli, Volume I The Art of War; and The Prince"
Niccolò Machiavelli
Upon his opening my door for me, and accepting the 'pas,' which I now right heartily accorded him, I recognized at once both him and the reproof he had designedly dealt me-or the wine supper I had danced on, perhaps I should say' and I protest that by such a display of supreme good breeding he managed to convey the highest compliment ever received by man, namely the assurance, that after the withering away of this mortal garb, I shall still be noted for urbanity and Elegancy.
"The Short Works of George Meredith"
George Meredith Last Updated: March 7, 2009
The chief secret is the choice of words; and, by this choice, I do not here mean Elegancy of expression, but propriety of sound, to be varied according to the nature of the subject.
"The Works Of John Dryden, Vol. 7 (of 18) The Duke of Guise; Albion and Albanius; Don Sebastian"
John Dryden