There can be no doubt that distrust of words is less…
“There can be no doubt that distrust of words is less harmful than unwarranted trust in them. Besides, to distrust words, and indict them for the horrors that might slumber unobtrusively within them --isn't this, after all, the true vocation of the intellectual?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Questioning the trust placed in language, suggesting skepticism is safer than blind belief.
In simple terms: Distrusting words can protect you more than trusting them blindly.
Be critical of language and its promises.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media consumption
- academic study
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is trust in words justified?
- How can we balance skepticism and openness?
Blind trust can also be necessary in some contexts.