Air Quote by Geoffrey Chaucer
“Soun is noght but air ybroken, And every speche that is spoken, Loud or privee, foul or fair, In his substaunce is but air; For as flaumbe is but lighted smoke, Right so soun is air ybroke.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Canterbury Tales, c. 1400
Sound is intangible, like air, and its quality depends on the medium; it can be pleasant or harsh but remains essentially insubstantial.
In simple terms: Sound is like air, unseen but felt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the fleeting nature of words.
Themes
communication
perception
essence
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- media analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does medium shape meaning?
- Can we trust spoken words?
A Different Perspective
Words may be misinterpreted despite intent.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)