the less it brings you joy

Question

The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less it brings you joy.

The more ... the less joy it brings you.

As far as I'm concerned, the second version of the above two reads better and makes more sense. But the original uses the first one, so I need your opinions. Thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less it brings you joy.

The more ... the less joy it brings you.

As far as I'm concerned, the second version of the above two reads better and makes more sense. But the original uses the first one, so I need your opinions.

It's a question of which seems to follow the structure and rhythm better. Of your two choices, I prefer #1. However, you might also want to consider

The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less you enjoy it.

As you can see, the second sentence now more closely mirrors the first.

Best wishes, Clive

Angliholic · Answer

CliveHi,

The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less it brings you joy.

The more ... the less joy it brings you.

As far as I'm concerned, the second version of the above two reads better and makes more sense. But the original uses the first one, so I need your opinions.

It's a question of which seems to follow the structure and rhythm better. Of your two choices, I prefer #1. However, you might also want to consider

The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less you enjoy it.

As you can see, the second sentence now more closely mirrors the first.

Best wishes, Clive

Thanks, Clive, for the clear and helpful reply.

I can see your reasoning clearly in your reply. Nevertheless, I still have some doubt, that is, if we think of the sentence in question as the following, would my suggestion read better?

The more you make, the more you want. The more money you have, the less joy it brings you.

Furhtermore, the relation between less and joy is so close that I presume it's better to put them next to each other.

Clive · Answer

Hi again,

I can see your reasoning clearly in your reply. Nevertheless, I still have some doubt, that is, if we think of the sentence in question as the following, would my suggestion read better? Yes, this version sounds OK.

The more you make, the more you want. The more money you have, the less joy it brings you.

Furthermore, the relation between less and joy is so close that I presume it's better to put them next to each other. Yes, particularly because in this version you are talking about 'more money'. In the original, you were just talking about 'more'.

Clive

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, Clive.

Got it.

the less it brings you joy

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