I'm pretty good at inventing phrases- you know, the sort…
““I'm pretty good at inventing phrases- you know, the sort of words that suddenly make you jump, almost as though you'd sat on a pin, they seem so new and exciting even though they're about something hypnopaedically obvious. But that doesn't seem enough. It's not enough for the phrases to be good; what you make with them ought to be good too...I feel I could do something much more important. Yes, and more intense, more violent. But what? What is there more important to say? And how can one be violent about the sort of things one's expected to write about? Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly-they'll go through anything. You read them and you're pierced. That's one of the things I try to teach my students-how to write piercingly. But what on earth's the good of being pierced by an article about a Community Sing, or the latest improvement in scent organs? Besides, can you make words really piercing-you know, like the very hardest X-rays when you're writing about that sort of thing? Can you say something about nothing?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote explores the tension between clever phrasing and meaningful content, urging writers to make language both striking and substantive, not merely novel.
In simple terms: Words should be both striking and meaningful.
Key Takeaway
Aim for depth, not just style.
Themes
writing
creativity
meaning
communication
impact
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching writing
- crafting speeches
- editing articles
- creative workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
literary theory
psychology of language
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance originality with depth?
- When does style outweigh substance?
A Different Perspective
A focus on novelty can mask shallow ideas; substance may be overlooked.