17.
Verbomania.
The malady Verbomania is spreading rapidly. What's that? You have never heard of Verbomania? Well, then, it's taken from verbosus, the Latin word meaning "abounding in words," the using of more words than is necessary. Mania, also Latin, means "to rage"—excessive or unreasonable desire. Therefore, Verbomania is the excessive desire to use more words than are necessary.
There is too much talk nowadays and too little thinking. Some persons start their gab carburetors, and they talk and talk mechanically, without any effort spent in thinking. Just like walking, the motion just goes by itself.
Scientists have suggested that perhaps too much talking without thinking is a disease. I don't see that there is any perhaps about it. Disease is an unnatural condition—a function of the mind or body out of its natural order of working.
We know we can sit down and run ideas through our brain without words, and we can use a lot of words without ideas.
You have read whole pages in a book without receiving an idea. One can rattle off words and not have ideas. When the fountain of words flows in a desert of ideas, it's Verbomania.
Think More, Talk Less.
People in all walks of life have the disease; they talk together too much without any reason other than to take up time or make themselves at ease. Pink teas, receptions and society functions are great rookeries for these Verbomania birds to gather and indulge in their gabfest.
The pianist through long practice is able to play a difficult composition without thinking about it; it's automatic; it's habit in action.