Language Equals Thought/Quotes

"[Language] becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. The point is that the process is reversible."

—George Orwell, 'Politics and the English Language'

"But, when it comes to changing the language, I think they [Feminists] make some good points, because we do think in language and so the quality of our thoughts and ideas could only be as good as the quality of our language."

—George Carlin, Doin' It Again/Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics

Vimes: (to the D'regs) So you think you're fighting for your freedom?
Carrot: (trying to translate) That's a rather difficult question for a D'reg, sir. You see, their word for "freedom" is the same as their word for "fighting".

—Jingo

At bottom, every ideal of style dictates not only how we should say things but what sort of things we may say.

—C. S. Lewis

The problem of the verbalistic (and the journalistic) is expressed in an aphorism earlier in the Incerto: mathematicians think in axioms, applied mathematicians in limits, probabilists in inequalities, philosophers in concepts, jurists in constructs, logicians in operators […], and journalists and other idiots in words.

—Nassim Nicholas Taleb, on Twitter.

"Peace? I doubt it. They may put their weapons down for a moment, but only to gather strength for the next bloodletting. They are not yet tired of war. Far from it. Do you know the ancient Nord word for war? "Season unending.".. so it has proved."

—Arngeir, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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