--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we…" description: "\"LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we charm the serpents guarding another's treasure.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/ambrose-bierce-140_charm_language-n-the-music-with-which-we-charm_2352057.jpg" --- # LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we charm the serpents… ![“LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we charm the serpents guarding another's treasure.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/ambrose-bierce-140_charm_language-n-the-music-with-which-we-charm_2352057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/ambrose-bierce-140_charm_language-n-the-music-with-which-we-charm_2352057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/ambrose-bierce-140_charm_language-n-the-music-with-which-we-charm_2352057.jpg) > “LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we charm the serpents guarding another's treasure.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language is portrayed as a seductive tool that can manipulate others to protect their own secrets. **In simple terms:** Words can be used to charm and control. Key Takeaway Use language responsibly, not manipulatively. Themes communication power manipulation Mood cautious reflective Type aphilosophical critical When to use this quote - political negotiation - marketing - personal relationships - conflict resolution Key Concepts rhetoric psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your words uplift rather than manipulate? - When have you seen language protect a secret? A Different Perspective Words can also empower and reveal truth, not just deceive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charm/) [Guarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarding/) [Guarding Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarding-treasure-1629874/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-music-398659/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Serpent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpent/) [Serpents Guarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpents-guarding-5730119/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure/) ## Related quotes > [“The panther that has stalked you since you were a child is old now. No longer wild, and tired of guarding the treasure you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-schneider/the-panther-that-has-stalked-you-since-you-were-a-child-is-old-now-no/) [Pat Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-schneider/) > [Military glory-that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood-that serpent's eye, that charms to destroy...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/military-glory-that-attractive-rainbow-that-rises-in-showers-of-blood/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [LAOCOON, n. A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and his two sons in the folds of two enormous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/laocoon-n-a-famous-piece-of-antique-scripture-representing-a-priest/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I am very happy to be able to cross borders to go to China, to Mexico, to America, everywhere, and there is an instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludovico-einaudi/i-am-very-happy-to-be-able-to-cross-borders-to-go-to-china-to-mexico/) [Ludovico Einaudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludovico-einaudi/) > [Music is the language of God. God's language, music, is not like mathematics or geometry. It is a language of love. If we love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/music-is-the-language-of-god-god-s-language-music-is-not-like/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [I think a lot of people get intimidated by the language of music, but everyone owns music. I think there's nothing standing in between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanine-tesori/i-think-a-lot-of-people-get-intimidated-by-the-language-of-music-but/) [Jeanine Tesori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanine-tesori/) > [I think of language as our first music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusef-komunyakaa/i-think-of-language-as-our-first-music/) [Yusef Komunyakaa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusef-komunyakaa/) > [Music is thousands and thousands of years old and I don't think that basic, primitive connection to the language of music ever changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/music-is-thousands-and-thousands-of-years-old-and-i-don-t-think-that/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [Back in Kuwait, I had started listening to a lot of English language music: western music, I would say - Kate Bush and Radiohead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-hamdan/back-in-kuwait-i-had-started-listening-to-a-lot-of-english-language/) [Yasmine Hamdan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-hamdan/) > [“ Lyrics belongs to us ina specific language, but music is universal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abrar-ahmed-chowdhury/lyrics-belongs-to-us-ina-specific-language-but-music-is-universal/) [Abrar Ahmed chowdhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abrar-ahmed-chowdhury/) > [The world's most famous and popular language is music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psy/the-world-s-most-famous-and-popular-language-is-music/) [PSY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/psy/) > [I couldn't live without music. I experienced things through music in different countries where you cannot speak the same language, but the music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/i-couldn-t-live-without-music-i-experienced-things-through-music-in/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) > [When you play music, you don't need a language. Music is a language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy/when-you-play-music-you-don-t-need-a-language-music-is-a-language/) [Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy/) > [It's one thing to just play a tune, or play a program of music, but it's another thing to practically create a new language…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/it-s-one-thing-to-just-play-a-tune-or-play-a-program-of-music-but-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [My main language was music, and my teacher was nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vangelis/my-main-language-was-music-and-my-teacher-was-nature/) [Vangelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vangelis/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Charm quotes > [Charm is a cunning self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/charm-is-a-cunning-self-forgetfulness/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) > [Every woman thinks herself attractive; even the plainest is satisfied with the charms she deems that she possesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/every-woman-thinks-herself-attractive-even-the-plainest-is-satisfied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Modesty is the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-herford/modesty-is-the-gentle-art-of-enhancing-your-charm-by-pretending-not/) [Oliver Herford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-herford/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [I'm an old school guy and love the guys in the monster suits and JAWS; even though everyone makes fun of the shark I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fessenden/i-m-an-old-school-guy-and-love-the-guys-in-the-monster-suits-and-jaws/) [Larry Fessenden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fessenden/) > [Every woman has the instinct, the propensity to profit from her charms, and there's a lot to be said for giving oneself without love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/every-woman-has-the-instinct-the-propensity-to-profit-from-her-charms/) [Leopold von Sacher-Masoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/) > [I don't know that I'm a free spirit or anything like that. I just have my own way of doing things. That's the charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-schultz/i-don-t-know-that-i-m-a-free-spirit-or-anything-like-that-i-just-have/) [Dave Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-schultz/) > [In each studio there is a human being dressed in the full regalia of his myth fearing to expore a vulnerable opening, spreading not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/in-each-studio-there-is-a-human-being-dressed-in-the-full-regalia-of/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“It's a part of life. You never know what you are going to get; you just have to be strong enough to deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-hill/it-s-a-part-of-life-you-never-know-what-you-are-going-to-get-you-just/) [Melissa Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-hill/) > [Even after marrying Mallika, I feel that I am her boyfriend. In fact, I believe this feeling enhances the charm and fun of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zayed-khan/even-after-marrying-mallika-i-feel-that-i-am-her-boyfriend-in-fact-i/) [Zayed Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zayed-khan/) > [Criticism even should not be without its charms. When quite devoid of all amenities, it is no longer literary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/criticism-even-should-not-be-without-its-charms-when-quite-devoid-of/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [“Never trust charm, it's the most powerful weapon in the devil's armory.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-gilbert/never-trust-charm-it-s-the-most-powerful-weapon-in-the-devil-s-armory/) [Anthony Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-gilbert/) > [Paul Taylor's 'Offenbach Overtures' has lots of zip and charm, and its pair of dueling soldiers in red, who end up starry-eyed about each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-gottlieb/paul-taylor-s-offenbach-overtures-has-lots-of-zip-and-charm-and-its/) [Robert Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-gottlieb/) > [Time's stern tide, with cold Oblivion's wave, Shall soon dissolve each fair, each fading charm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-seward/time-s-stern-tide-with-cold-oblivion-s-wave-shall-soon-dissolve-each/) [Anna Seward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-seward/) > [Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/washington-is-a-city-of-southern-efficiency-and-northern-charm/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) [Browse all 1,415 Charm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "LANGUAGE, n. 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