Maxims, platitudes and pithy sayings

I've been thinking about these short little sayings that some people like to use and speak with authority.  Even those found in Scripture. These are problematic.  Obviously, the intent of the original author and the actual meaning of these texts are probably good (certainly good if found in Scripture), but that is not the issue here.  The issue is interpretation.
In many cases, when someone uses one of these, there is a level of personal interpretation taking place.  For example, "Fear God and love man." To use this phrase toward someone who has grown up in a physically abusive home will most likely result in them associating fear of God with fear of an abusive father.  Not a good thing.  The two word phrase "Fear God" is far too terse to adequately communicate what one actually means.
Maxims, platitudes and pithy sayings are fine and good, if one has the time to clarify and explain what exactly is meant.  But then at that point, the whole "value" of brevity is lost.  What can be said in a few words, if needing to be explained, then cannot be said in a few words.  Learning to speak openly, directly and clearly is where real interactive value is.  Someone will remember our words if not too short or too long and if spoken in love.
Terse or long winded, if we speak in love we can go a long ways.