---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If names be not correct, language is not…"
description: "\"“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs ca..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg"
---

#  If names be not correct, language is not in accordance…

![“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg)

> ““If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.””

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Accurate naming reflects reality; misnaming distorts understanding, hindering effective action and cultural harmony.

**In simple terms:** Correct names help truth and success.

Key Takeaway

Use precise language to align with reality.

Themes

communication truth order

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- political discourse
- legal negotiations
- academic writing
- cross‑cultural interactions

Key Concepts

linguistic relativity social harmony

Questions to Reflect On

- How does naming shape perception?
- Can clarity replace bias?

A Different Perspective

If names are metaphor, other factors may still impede success.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/)

## Related quotes

> [If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not-in-accordance-with-the-truth-2/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [If names are not correct, language will not be in accordance with the truth of things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-are-not-correct-language-will-not-be-in-accordance-with-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [If names are not correct, then language is not in accord with the truth of things. If language is not in accord with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-are-not-correct-then-language-is-not-in-accord-with-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [If man has learned to see and know what really is, he will act in accordance with truth, Epistemology is in itself ethics, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-marcuse/if-man-has-learned-to-see-and-know-what-really-is-he-will-act-in/)

[Herbert Marcuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-marcuse/)

> [“I pay attention to this; which is not pronounced, in accordance with the truth, in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/i-pay-attention-to-this-which-is-not-pronounced-in-accordance-with/)

sir kristian goldmund aumann

> [Tsze-Kung asked, “Is there one word with which to act in accordance throughout a lifetime?” The Master said, “Is not reciprocity such a word?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/tsze-kung-asked-is-there-one-word-with-which-to-act-in-accordance/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [...These politically correct language initiatives are misguided and harmful. They create highly entitled professional "victims" who expect to be free from any offense, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gad-saad/these-politically-correct-language-initiatives-are-misguided-and/)

[Gad Saad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gad-saad/)

> [Politically correct is the language of cowardice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-connolly/politically-correct-is-the-language-of-cowardice/)

[Billy Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-connolly/)

> [In the end, maybe the correct language would be how the fact of putting four edges around a collection of information or facts transforms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/in-the-end-maybe-the-correct-language-would-be-how-the-fact-of/)

[Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/)

> [Indeed, every true science has for its object the determination of certain phenomena by means of others, in accordance with the relations which exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auguste-comte/indeed-every-true-science-has-for-its-object-the-determination-of/)

[Auguste Comte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auguste-comte/)

> [In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-great-contests-each-party-claims-to-act-in-accordance-with-the/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [We always try to interpret things in accordance with what we want and not as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-always-try-to-interpret-things-in-accordance-with-what-we-want-and/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/one-who-lives-in-accordance-with-nature-does-not-go-against-the-way/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [To be true to yourself means to act in accordance with who you are and what you believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-true-to-yourself-means-to-act-in-accordance-with-who-you-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Righteousness and faith certainly are instrumental in moving mountains - if moving mountains accomplishes God's purposes and is in accordance with His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/righteousness-and-faith-certainly-are-instrumental-in-moving/)

[David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/)

## More by Confucius

> [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

[Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## More Accordance quotes

> [Righteousness and faith certainly are instrumental in moving mountains - if moving mountains accomplishes God's purposes and is in accordance with His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/righteousness-and-faith-certainly-are-instrumental-in-moving/)

[David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/)

> [To be true to yourself means to act in accordance with who you are and what you believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-true-to-yourself-means-to-act-in-accordance-with-who-you-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/one-who-lives-in-accordance-with-nature-does-not-go-against-the-way/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [We always try to interpret things in accordance with what we want and not as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-always-try-to-interpret-things-in-accordance-with-what-we-want-and/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-great-contests-each-party-claims-to-act-in-accordance-with-the/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Indeed, every true science has for its object the determination of certain phenomena by means of others, in accordance with the relations which exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auguste-comte/indeed-every-true-science-has-for-its-object-the-determination-of/)

[Auguste Comte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auguste-comte/)

> [... all education must be unsound which does not propose for itself some object; and the highest of all objects must be that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catharine-beecher/all-education-must-be-unsound-which-does-not-propose-for-itself-some/)

[Catharine Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catharine-beecher/)

> [“The power of God knows no limit, no condition, and no contingency other than being expressed in accordance with his own character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-f-bird/the-power-of-god-knows-no-limit-no-condition-and-no-contingency-other/)

[Michael F. Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-f-bird/)

> [People are beginning to realize that we need to live in accordance with the law of ecology, the law of finite resources, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/people-are-beginning-to-realize-that-we-need-to-live-in-accordance/)

[Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/)

> [The United States supports the reintegration of people who have fought with the Taliban into Afghan society provided they: one, renounce al Qaeda, two,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-holbrooke/the-united-states-supports-the-reintegration-of-people-who-have/)

[Richard Holbrooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-holbrooke/)

> [All political parties, organizations, and all people should abide by the constitution and laws without any exception. They must all act in accordance with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wen-jiabao/all-political-parties-organizations-and-all-people-should-abide-by/)

[Wen Jiabao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wen-jiabao/)

> [“May the Lord lay His hand on all that I do so that it may be in accordance with His holy will; this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/may-the-lord-lay-his-hand-on-all-that-i-do-so-that-it-may-be-in/)

[Teresa of Ávila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/)

> [All art is concerned with coming into being; for it is concerned neither with things that are, or come into being by necessity, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/all-art-is-concerned-with-coming-into-being-for-it-is-concerned/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [“The definition of integrity is this: "Being what I say I am by acting in accordance with my words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-miller/the-definition-of-integrity-is-this-being-what-i-say-i-am-by-acting/)

[John G. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-miller/)

> [We plan alone but we fulfill our plans together with the enemy, as it were, in accordance with his opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-konev/we-plan-alone-but-we-fulfill-our-plans-together-with-the-enemy-as-it/)

Ivan Konev

Browse all 42 Accordance quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Confucius"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not-in-accordance-with-the-truth/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accordance"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not-in-accordance-with-the-truth/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/confucius-164_accordance_if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not_2922719.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in…” — Confucius",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Confucius",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“If names be not correct, language...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not-in-accordance-with-the-truth/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/if-names-be-not-correct-language-is-not-in-accordance-with-the-truth/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```