A mass of Latin words falls upon the facts like soft snow…
“A mass of Latin words falls upon the facts like soft snow, blurring the outline and covering up all the details. The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish spurting out ink. In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics'. All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred, and schizophrenia. When the general atmosphere is bad, language must suffer.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Complex, pretentious language obscures truth and reflects insincerity, especially in political discourse.
In simple terms: Long words hide reality.
Key Takeaway
Use clear, honest language.
Themes
clarity
politics
honesty
communication
truth
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- academic writing
- media commentary
- public debate
- legal documents
Key Concepts
Rhetoric
cognitive bias
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape your perception of truth?
- When have you noticed jargon masking intent?
A Different Perspective
Over‑simplification can ignore nuance.