REBTOZ

Flowery language is: ‘designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content .’ Dr. Albert Ellis was an efficient person by all accounts and was careful to say what he meant in his writing without employing unnecessary hyperbole or using grandiose and convoluted ways to impress his audience. He didn’t need to nor did he want to. Einstein said if you can’t explain something in simple terms you may not understand it. He encouraged people to: “Make things as simple as possible, but no simpler.” This is not as easy as it sounds and requires effort and consideration. Schmaltz is another term that comes to mind to describe language used to ingratiate oneself with others; to over empathise. Sentimentality overload! What can be the purpose of these flowery utterances in an REBT sense? What would Dr. Ellis make of those inclined to fawn over and to flatter others excessively? At which point does the message b...