2 Maccabees 2:30

²⁸Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

²⁹For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.

— 2 Maccabees 2:30 —

³¹But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.

³²Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.