Who's stupid now?

There's one phrase from my editor that has stayed with me all these years despite having left the reporting field quite some time back.

It's this : "Never take your reader for a fool".

In simple terms, one needn't over-write a point till death because readers are not stupid. They get it the first time around.

But if I may rephrase, I'd like to add "Never take your audience for fools. They too, know the first time around".

See, some people actually believe that they are getting away with lies just because people don't seem to respond negatively at that point. Come on, who are we kidding? At best, its telling about you as a person - a LIAR. Worst, you'll suffer for it later, whether you realise it or not. These can come in forms of either deprived opportunities or revenge, both of which you'll lose.

So, perhaps it's time to make a change. Be someone with a little character instead.