Another segment of society that has constructed a language…
“Another segment of society that has constructed a language of its own is business. ... [The businessman] is speaking a language that is familiar to him and dear to him. Its portentous nouns and verbs invest ordinary events with high adventure; the executive walks among ink erasers caparisoned like a knight. This we should be tolerant of--every man of spirit wants to ride a white horse. ... A good many of the special words of business seem designed more to express the user's dreams than to express his precise meaning.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Business creates its own jargon, turning ordinary tasks into grand narratives that appeal to ego and ambition.
In simple terms: Business language inflates simple work into heroic tales.
Recognize and cut through the hype.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- corporate meetings
- marketing pitches
- negotiations
- team briefings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does business jargon affect decision making?
- When does it become counterproductive?
The inflated language can obscure real issues and mislead stakeholders.