2 Maccabees 2:31
King James VersionSource notes
“But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.”
Context
28Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.
29For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.
30To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:
31But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.
32Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.