There is no surer way to misread any document than to read…
“There is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He warns that reading a document strictly literal leads to misinterpretation, ignoring context.
In simple terms: Literal reading often misleads.
Key Takeaway
Interpret with context, not just words.
Themes
law
interpretation
communication
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
legal
educational
When to use this quote
- contract drafting
- policy analysis
- academic research
- media reporting
Key Concepts
literalism
context
misreading
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance literal and contextual reading?
- When is literal reading appropriate?
A Different Perspective
Context can be ambiguous.