2014 Quote by Ben Marcus
““Sometimes I worry, for myself, that I’ve stopped being amazed at certain things, or I’ve taken for granted a set of ideas about how the world works, what people are doing with each other or alone, all the fundamental relationships in the world. I worry that I start taking it for granted and stop feeling the intensity of it because of language. Language starts to shut down the strength and power and strangeness of what it means to be a person in the world.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Ben Marcus on Language and Perception”, 2015
Language can dull our sense of wonder by turning complex human experiences into ordinary concepts, reducing their mystery and emotional impact.
In simple terms: Words can make the world feel less amazing.
Key Takeaway
Pause and notice what language hides.
Themes
wonder
language
perception
humanity
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- reading literature
- conversing with strangers
- reflecting on daily routines
Key Concepts
semiotics
existentialism
cognitive framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your vocabulary shape your view of others?
- When did a word make you feel less surprised?
A Different Perspective
Language also clarifies and connects, not just obscures.
![“Thanks to [language], human beings - and we alone - can truly enter and explore the feelings of others. What an extraordinary skill.” quote by Naoki Higashida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b1/naoki-higashida-10961_language_thanks-to-language-human-beings-and-we-a_2630339.jpg)
