"I will be brief. Not nearly so brief as Salvador Dali, who gave the world's shortest speech. He said I will be so brief I have already finished, and he sat down"

This quote by Gene Fowler is a humorous reflection on brevity in speechmaking, illustrating an entertaining anecdote about the surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Fowler's opening line, "I will be quick," sets the stage for a conversation on the value and ability of being succinct, which is typically appreciated, particularly in contexts where time is of the essence or where audiences have limited attention spans.

The referral to Salvador Dali humorously raises brevity to an almost absurd level. Dali's speech, "I will be so quick I have already ended up," exhibits an extreme version of conciseness, to the point of parody. Dali, known for his eccentric and non-traditional creative expressions, extends his penchant for the surreal into the world of public speaking. By doing so, he not just challenges standards and expectations about formal speeches but likewise skillfully engages his audience through surprise and wit.

Fowler's stating of Dali's brief speech emphasizes the impact that such succinctness can have. In a world typically filled with verbose and complicated interaction, the capability to reveal oneself clearly and concisely is a notable ability. Dali's method mocks the tendency to overcomplicate or extend interaction needlessly, acting as a reminder that sometimes, less is more.

Additionally, the quote recommends a layer of self-awareness on Fowler's part. By suggesting his own speech will not be "almost so brief" as Dali's, Fowler acknowledges the difficulty of attaining such a level of brevity while preserving substance, humorously confessing ahead of time that he may fail to be as concise.

In essence, the quote is a lively tribute to the art of interaction, commemorating brevity as an often-overlooked virtue while concurrently critiquing the tendency to glorify overly long speeches. It motivates speakers and writers to consider the worth in condense their thoughts and providing messages with clarity and wit, in line with Dali's unexpected, yet impactful, example.