Like a diaphanous nightgown, language both hides and reveals.

Like a diaphanous nightgown, language both hides and reveals.

Words are loaded pistols.

Words are loaded pistols.

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy read more

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy of a community between the present and the past.

Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk read more

Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk to the level of the demons.

Fie, fie upon her!
There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;
Nay, her foot speaks. read more

Fie, fie upon her!
There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;
Nay, her foot speaks. Her wanton spirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body.

The individual's whole experience is built upon the plan of his language.

The individual's whole experience is built upon the plan of his language.

The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearne, but it is still nonsense.

The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearne, but it is still nonsense.

Look wise; say nothing and grunt. Speech was given to conceal thought.

Look wise; say nothing and grunt. Speech was given to conceal thought.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.