It was greek to me.

It was greek to me.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

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.

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

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

You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
read more

You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
read more

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
This gain of our best glory shall be sent,
T' enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th' yet unformed Occident
May come refin'd with th' accents that are ours?

Our native language is like a second skin, so much a part of us we resist the idea that it read more

Our native language is like a second skin, so much a part of us we resist the idea that it is constantly changing, constantly being renewed.

Morals and manners will rise or decline with our attention to
grammar.

Morals and manners will rise or decline with our attention to
grammar.

We defend ourself with descriptions and tame the world by generalizing.

We defend ourself with descriptions and tame the world by generalizing.