Quotes about Meaning of Words

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words. Votes: 6

The investigation of the meaning of words is the beginning of education. Votes: 4

Once we have learned to read, meaning of words can somehow register without consciousness. Votes: 4

In love, we worry more about the meaning of silences than the meaning of words. Votes: 4

It is nonetheless the best usage that decides the meaning of words. Votes: 3

Writing and performing should deepen the meaning of words, should illuminate, transfix and transform. Votes: 3

How could an argument soothe or settle a controversy when every word is a nest for a bird of doubt? (meaning of words as inferences) Votes: 3

If we accept that there is no such thing as 'zero risk' then we should not spin the meaning of words with assertions such as 'all accidents are preventable'. Votes: 3

If language is to be of any use to us, then we ought to try and preserve the meaning of words, and 'god' historically has not meant the laws of nature. Votes: 3

Like psychoanalysis, constitutional jurisprudence has become a game without rules. By defying the plain meaning of words, ignoring context and history, and using a little ingenuity, you can make the Constitution mean anything you like. Votes: 3

For it was not so much that by means of words I came to a complete understanding of things, as that from things I somehow had an experience which enabled me to follow the meaning of words. Votes: 3

Ideas improve. The meaning of words participates in the improvement. Plagiarism is necessary. Progress implies it. It embraces an author's phrase, makes use of his expressions, erases a false idea, and replaces it with the right idea. Votes: 3

The world of public discourse - political, social, diplomatic, commercial - has so corrupted language that we are rightly more suspicious of the meaning of words than we are convinced of their veracity. Language has been turned on its head. Votes: 3

Surely it is time to examine into the meaning of words and the nature of things, and to arrive at simple facts, not received upon the dictum of learned authorities, but upon attentive personal observation of what is passing around us. Votes: 3

What do we mean by "knowledge" or "understanding"? And how do billions of neurons achieve them? These are complete mysteries. Admittedly, cognitive neuroscientists are still very vague about the exact meaning of words like "understand," "think," and indeed the word "meaning" itself. Votes: 3

Language can still be an adventure if we remember that words can make a kind of melody. In novels, news stories, memoirs and even to-the-point memos, music is as important as meaning. In fact, music can drive home the meaning of words. Votes: 3

The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things... Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of man. Votes: 3

For there have risen many who have given to the plain words of Holy Writ some arbitrary interpretation of their own, instead of its true and only sense, and this in defiance of the clear meaning of words. Heresy lies in the sense assigned, not in the word written; the guilt is that of the expositor, not of the text. Votes: 3

Contemporary poetry ... tries to transform the sign back into meaning: its ideal, ultimately, would be to reach not the meaning of words, but the meaning of things themselves. This is why it clouds the language, increases as much as it can the abstractness of the concept and the arbitrariness of the sign and stretches to the limit the link between signifier and signified. Votes: 3

The continually progressive change to which the meaning of words is subject, the want of a universal language which renders translation necessary, the errors to which translations are again subject, the mistakes of copyists and printers, together with the possibility of willful alteration, are themselves evidences that human language, whether in speech or print, cannot be the vehicle of the Word of God. Votes: 3

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. Votes: 2

How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words! Votes: 2

Banal words function as a feeble phenomena that fall into their own mental bogs of meaning. Votes: 2

During the '70s I was interested in words and meaning as a way of making art. Votes: 2

He doesn't know the meaning of the word fear, but then again he doesn't know the meaning of most words. Votes: 2

The deeper the experience of an absence of meaning - in other words, of absurdity - the more energetically meaning is sought. Votes: 2

There is something like an explosion in the meaning of certain words: they have a greater value than their meaning in the dictionary. Votes: 2

Truth is something which can't be told in a few words. Those who simplify the universe only reduce the expansion of its meaning. Votes: 2

But even in the Christian religion, much of its real meaning is hidden by words that are misleading and symbols that but few understand. Votes: 2

I am a hidden meaning made to defy. The grasp of words, and walk away With free will and destiny. As living, revolutionary clay. Votes: 2

Nothing can express the aim and meaning of our work better than the profound words of St. Augustine - 'Beauty is the splendor of Truth.' Votes: 2

Words do not change their meanings so drastically in the course of centuries as, in our minds, names do in the course of a year or two. Votes: 2

Uncritical semantics is the myth of a museum in which the exhibits are meanings and the words are labels. To switch languages is to change the labels. Votes: 2

There's something so wonderful about writing in rhyme where it isn't just the meaning of the words, it's the music to the words and the shape and the sound. Votes: 2

Providing, meaning to a mass of unrelated needs, ideas, words and pictures - it is the designer's job to select and fit this material together and make it interesting. Votes: 2

I do love perusing the dictionary to find how many words I don't use - words that have specific, sharp, focused meaning. I also love the sound of certain words. I love the sound of the word pom-pom. Votes: 2

I have a problem when people say something's real or not real, or normal or abnormal. The meaning of those words for me is very personal and subjective. I've always been confused and never had a clearcut understanding of the meaning of those kinds of words. Votes: 2

Words have meaning, type has spirit. Votes: 0

Because words have deep meaning, Tweets have power. Votes: 0

Words have meaning. And their meaning doesn't change Votes: 0

Weigh the meaning and look not at the words. Votes: 0

When words lose their meaning, people lose their liberty. Votes: 0

Without context words and actions have no meaning at all Votes: 0

Words rich in meaning can be cheap in sound effects. Votes: 0

Wisdom is not in words; Wisdom is meaning within words. Votes: 0

Through words to the meaning of thoughts with no words. Votes: 0

Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning. Votes: 0

Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning. Votes: 0

We allow words to obscure the interpretation of the deeper meaning. Votes: 0

I like patterns in words. I'm not really interested in meaning. Votes: 0

Get rid of words and meaning, and there is still poetry. Votes: 0

Don't look for meaning in the words. Listen to the silences. Votes: 0

...words are not only meaning but music and magic and power. Votes: 0

The meaning of the words is necessary and not their extent. Votes: 0

Fine words lack all meaning when we are confronted by real suffering. Votes: 0

Your words and my words are the same, but not our meaning. Votes: 0

Because your question searches for deep meaning, I shall explain in simple words Votes: 0

Get rid of words, and get rid of meaning, and still there is poetry. Votes: 0

The words of genius have a wider meaning than the thought that prompted them. Votes: 0

Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words. Votes: 0

Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have different effects. Votes: 0

The photograph, after all, is just a photograph. Words will determine its meaning and status. Votes: 0

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Votes: 0

Great communicators don't just hear the words. Great communicators hear the meaning behind the words Votes: 0

To happy folkAll heaviest words no more of meaning bearThan far-off bells saddening the Summer air. Votes: 0

The Navy speaks in symbols and you may suit what meaning you choose to the words. Votes: 0

Words are not simple things: they take unto themselves, as they have through time, power and meaning ... Votes: 0

The painting rises from the brushstrokes as a poem rises from the words. The meaning comes later. Votes: 0

In the Trump language, words change their meaning day by day depending on his own political needs. Votes: 0

The word enchant comes from the Latin 'incantare', meaning to sing or chant magical words or sounds. Votes: 0

Words of mankind limited in meaning to describe the enchantment that illuminates from aura of a dancer. Votes: 0

Be able to describe anything visual, such as a street scene, in words that convey your meaning. Votes: 0

In the uttermost meaning of the words, thought is devout, and devotion is thought. Deep calls unto deep. Votes: 0

Madness, in its wild, untamable words, proclaims its own meaning; in its chimeras, it utters its secret truth. Votes: 0

Science repudiates philosophy. In other words, it has never cared to justify its truth or explain its meaning. Votes: 0

I don't like to treat words and sounds like objects. You have to penetrate deeply into their meaning. Votes: 0

In nearly all ballads, the words set the mood and meaning, while the music intensifies or enhances them. Votes: 0

I am convinced that abstract form, imagery, color, texture, and material convey meaning equal to or greater than words. Votes: 0

Just as there are polysyllabic words that say very little, so there are also monosyllabic words of infinite meaning. Votes: 0

In a poem the words should be as pleasing to the ear as the meaning is to the mind. Votes: 0

Isn't it funny the way some combinations of words can give you--almost apart from their meaning--a thrill like music? Votes: 0

We can't change the world by shouting, but our words can have meaning if we give them enough respect. Votes: 0

Is there a meaning to music? Yes. Can you state in so many words what the meaning is? No. Votes: 0

The things she most wanted to tell him would lose their meaning the moment she put them into words. Votes: 0

Today we continue a never ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. Votes: 0

Maps were so much easier than words. Words had a way of getting muddled, or meaning two things at once. Votes: 0

Words have meaning beyond the obvious. Words have consequences beyond intentions. Civil words align risk and reward of such unknowns. Votes: 0

Words no longer have meaning if an Exchange that is not established by a State is "established by the State". Votes: 0

I guess I'm attracted to more archaic words because they can be imbued with more meaning, because their definition is elusive. Votes: 0

Better than a meaningless story of a thousand words is a single word of deep meaning which, when heard, produces peace. Votes: 0

And if my mind breaks up In all so many ways I know the meaning of The words, "I love you Votes: 0

Silence has a myriad of meanings. In the theater, silence is an absence of words, but never an absence of meaning. Votes: 0

He doesn't know the meaning of the word fear. Of course, there are lots of other words he doesn't know either. Votes: 0

I aim to be translucent, so you don't notice the words, just their meaning. I haven't much insight into people's motivations. Votes: 0

Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning. Votes: 0

That's mostly what the Internet is, just passing the time. But unfortunately you are dealing with words that can have meaning. Votes: 0

Sometimes when you're making songs you just make sounds, and the sounds slowly mutate and evolve into actual words that have meaning. Votes: 0

The word aerobics comes from two Greek words: aero, meaning “ability to,” and bics, meaning “withstand tremendous boredom. Votes: 0

Meaningless combinations of words do not suddenly acquire meaning simply because we prefix to them the two other words ' God can'. Votes: 0

An artist who makes pictures that look good but express nothing is like a writer whose words sound good but have no meaning. Votes: 0

A good many of the special words of business seem designed more to express the user's dreams than to express a precise meaning. Votes: 0

And of course the word love has many shades of meaning, as do many, many of the words in our living, breathing language Votes: 0

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. Votes: 0

Speak English!' said the Eaglet. 'I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and I don't believe you do either! Votes: 0

Speak louder than the words before you, and give them meaning no one else has found. The role we play is so important. Votes: 0

I don't think that the spoken words solve everything. Sometimes silence delivers truer feelings while the words can distort the meaning in some situations. Votes: 0

If language is not rectified, words do not correspond to meaning, and if words do not correspond to meaning, our deeds cannot be accomplished. Votes: 0

The word Universe is made up of two Latin words- uni (meaning "one") and versus (meaning "turned into"). It literally means "one turned into. Votes: 0

The Americans have many virtues, but they have not Faith and Hope. I know no two words whose meaning is more lost sight of. Votes: 0

You are alone,So alone,You speak back to silence.People call it loneliness,You call it solitude,Different words,Meaning the same pain. Votes: 0

Art is really about how you capture different things you see around you and bring them into forms and words and shapes and meaning. Votes: 0

Your true meaning cannot be grasped or captured by words. You can never be equated with any words, because you are prior to words. Votes: 0

A song is a favorite song, not because the singer can hit and hold a high note, but because of the words, their meaning. Votes: 0

My words are like a ship, and the sea is their meaning. Come to me and I will take you to the depths of spirit. Votes: 0

The words in prose ought to express the intended meaning, and no more; if they attract attention to themselves, it is, in general, a fault. Votes: 0

It is not that the meaning cannot be explained. But there are certain meanings that are lost forever the moment they are explained in words. Votes: 0

Wherever you find a sentence musically worded, of true rhythm and melody in the words, there is something deep and good in the meaning also. Votes: 0

What interests me is love, sex, death, cruelty, compassion and the desire for meaning in an apparently godless universe. In other words the human condition. Votes: 0

The power of nature exists in its silence. Human words cannot encode the meaning because human language has access only to the shadow of meaning. Votes: 0

Abortion is the Antichrist's demonic parody of the eucharist. That's why it uses the same holy words, "This is my body," with the blasphemous opposite meaning. Votes: 0

Let the letters clash forming an invisible meaning of a sunny night, freezing chimney, and silent screams. When words betray you, hold on to your imagination. Votes: 0

Will a nominee embrace and uphold the essential meaning of the four words inscribed above the entrance of the Supreme Court building: Equal justice under law? Votes: 0

The English language has 112 words for deception, according to one count, each with a different shade of meaning: collusion, fakery, malingering, self-deception, confabulation, prevarication, exaggeration, denial. Votes: 0

We learn words by rote, but not their meaning; that must be paid for with our life-blood, and printed in the subtle fibres of our nerves. Votes: 0

I find it difficult to believe that words have no meaning in themselves, hard as I try. Habits of a lifetime are not lightly thrown aside. Votes: 0

Words were medicine; they were magic and invisible. They came from nothing into sound and meaning. They were beyond price; they could neither be bought nor sold. Votes: 0

Never generally means "at no point in time." The term comes from the words 'no' and 'ever', meaning that something is not ever going to happen. Sourced Votes: 0

Like paths and alleys overgrown with hardy, rank-growing weeds, the words we use are overgrown with our individual, private, provincial associations, which tend to choke the meaning. Votes: 0

Reading is dreaming. Reading is entering a world of imagination shared between reader and author. Reading is getting beyond the words to the story or meaning underneath. Votes: 0

Everything was going for me, I didn't even know the meaning of the word insecurity and suddenly I am surrounded by words like operation, cancer, chemotherapy, radiation. Votes: 0

"What is good for a bootless bene?" With these dark words begins my tale; And their meaning is, Whence can comfort spring When prayer is of no avail? Votes: 0

Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak; Lay open to my earthy-gross conceit, Smother'd in errors, feeble, shallow, weak, The folded meaning of your words' deceit. Votes: 0

What Christ gives us is quite explicit if his own words are interpreted according to their Aramaic meaning. The expression 'This is my Body' means this is myself. Votes: 0

The complexity embedded in the different levels of meaning that go along with the words "I love you" ought to be a whole mindfuck of a video game Votes: 0

For many people, feminism is one of those words of which, as St. Augustine said about time, they know the meaning as long as no one is asking. Votes: 0

I don't know what a credit bubble means. I don't even know what a bubble means. These words have become popular. I don't think they have any meaning. Votes: 0

For when there are no words, it is very difficult to recognize the meaning of the harmony and rhythm, or to see any worldly object is imitated by them. Votes: 0

That boy don't know the meaning of the word fear. In fact, I just saw his grades, and that boy don't know the meaning of a lot of words. Votes: 0

Photography has clarity in the same way that language has. A word is precise, but its meaning can change based on the words around it: think tank, tank top. Votes: 0

Reverend Samuel H. Weed, at my request selected two Greek words, 'cheir' and 'praktikos', meaning when combined, 'done by hand.' From which I coined the word, 'CHIROPRACTIC.' Votes: 0

From the throes of inspiration and the eddies of thought the poet may at last be able to arrive at, and convey the right admixture of words and meaning. Votes: 0

To notice people's deceptions yet not reveal it in words, to bear people's insults without showing any change of attitude-there is endless meaning in this, and also endless function. Votes: 0

The meaning of a word - to me - is not as exact as the meaning of a color. Colors and shapes make a more definite statement than words. Votes: 0