Much of our modern difficulty, in religion and other…
““Much of our modern difficulty, in religion and other things, arises merely from this: that we confuse the word "indefinable" with the word "vague." If some one speaks of a spiritual fact as "indefinable" we promptly picture something misty, a cloud with indeterminate edges. But this is an error even in commonplace logic. The thing that cannot be defined is the first thing; the primary fact. It is our arms and legs, our pots and pans, that are indefinable. The indefinable is the indisputable. The man next door is indefinable, because he is too actual to be defined. And there are some to whom spiritual things have the same fierce and practical proximity; some to whom God is too actual to be defined.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Indefinable things are those most concrete and undeniable; confusion with “vague” hides their reality.
In simple terms: Indefinable means truly real, not unclear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the tangible truth in what seems indescribable.
Themes
spirituality
language
philosophy
reality
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- discussing faith
- teaching philosophy
- writing theology
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ontology
semantics
faith
logic
Questions to Reflect On
- What “indefinable” truths do you resist defining?
- How does naming the indescribable change its impact?
A Different Perspective
People may misuse “indefinable” to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths.