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Kill him." Dr. Kissing repeated my words in a flat…

“Kill him." Dr. Kissing repeated my words in a flat, matter-of-fact voice. "Just so. But 'kill,' as you will have observed, like 'spy' and 'stop,' is really just one more of those short but exceedingly troublesome words.” quote by Alan Bradley
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““Kill him." Dr. Kissing repeated my words in a flat, matter-of-fact voice. "Just so. But 'kill,' as you will have observed, like 'spy' and 'stop,' is really just one more of those short but exceedingly troublesome words.””

Alan Bradley

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker points out that certain short words carry heavy, problematic meanings that can be misused.

In simple terms: Short words can be dangerous.

Key Takeaway

Watch language choice.

Themes

language communication power

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

literary dialogue

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • editing
  • dialogue
  • teaching

Key Concepts

semantics word impact

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure clarity when using concise language?
  • What responsibilities do speakers have with powerful words?
A Different Perspective

Words alone can’t convey nuance without context.

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