--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Words may be either the servants or…" description: "\"Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former they may safely guide us in the way of truth. If the latter they intoxicate the brain and le..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/315/george-horne-40390_abuse_words-may-be-either-the-servants-or-mast_2433905.jpg" --- # Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former… ![“Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former they may safely guide us in the way of truth. If the latter they intoxicate the brain and lead into swamps of thought where there is no solid footing. Among the sources of those innumerable calamities which from age to age have overwhelmed…” quote by George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/315/george-horne-40390_abuse_words-may-be-either-the-servants-or-mast_2433905.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/315/george-horne-40390_abuse_words-may-be-either-the-servants-or-mast_2433905.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/315/george-horne-40390_abuse_words-may-be-either-the-servants-or-mast_2433905.jpg) > “Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former they may safely guide us in the way of truth. If the latter they intoxicate the brain and lead into swamps of thought where there is no solid footing. Among the sources of those innumerable calamities which from age to age have overwhelmed mankind, may be reckoned as one of the principal, the abuse of words.” [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Words can control us or we can control them; misuse leads to confusion and harm. **In simple terms:** Words can be tools or traps. Key Takeaway Choose words wisely. Themes communication power responsibility Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - teaching - debate Key Concepts linguistics psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your words empower? - When have words misled you? A Different Perspective Words can be misinterpreted despite intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Abuse Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse-words-315050/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Calamity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Guides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guides/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Latter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed/) [Overwhelmed Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed-mankind-315053/) [Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principal/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/source/) [Swamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swamps/) [Swamps Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swamps-thought-315052/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [Words Servants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-servants-315051/) ## Related quotes > [Words are our servants, not our masters. For different purposes, we find it convenient to use words in different senses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/words-are-our-servants-not-our-masters-for-different-purposes-we-find/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“Words are our servants, not our masters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/words-are-our-servants-not-our-masters/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/abuse-of-words-has-been-the-great-instrument-of-sophistry-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Among the many evils which prevail under the sun, the abuse of words is not the least considerable. By the influence of time, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/among-the-many-evils-which-prevail-under-the-sun-the-abuse-of-words/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [“When you feel caught in the web of childhood abuse, find words to describe it. Write them. Say them. Express them. In safe places,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-you-feel-caught-in-the-web-of-childhood-abuse-find-words-to/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [Abuse of words is the foundation of ideology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/abuse-of-words-is-the-foundation-of-ideology/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [Language makes culture, and we make a rotten culture when we abuse words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/language-makes-culture-and-we-make-a-rotten-culture-when-we-abuse/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [As her sons have seen her: the mother in patriarchy: controlling, erotic, castrating, heart-suffering, guilt-ridden, and guilt-provoking; a marble brow, a huge breast, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/as-her-sons-have-seen-her-the-mother-in-patriarchy-controlling-erotic/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [Am I more afraid Of taking a chance and learning I'm somebody I don't know, or of risking new territory, only to find I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/am-i-more-afraid-of-taking-a-chance-and-learning-i-m-somebody-i-don-t/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [Wisdom: The first error is that of the southern people, and it consists in holding that these eastern and western places are real places.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/wisdom-the-first-error-is-that-of-the-southern-people-and-it-consists/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Hell is a swamp, to me - not as something fiery, but as something dank, moist, and wet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avey-tare/hell-is-a-swamp-to-me-not-as-something-fiery-but-as-something-dank/) [Avey Tare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avey-tare/) > [Once the forest has been removed and the swamp starts being drained, that organic matter begins to oxidise and give off continuing emissions. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-ford-seymour/once-the-forest-has-been-removed-and-the-swamp-starts-being-drained/) [Frances Ford Seymour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-ford-seymour/) > [Making a logging-road in the Maine woods is called "swamping" it, and they who do the work are called "swampers." I now perceivedthe fitness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/making-a-logging-road-in-the-maine-woods-is-called-swamping-it-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [To really be of benefit to others as the Buddha always taught, we ourselves must first get out of the swamp. One of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/to-really-be-of-benefit-to-others-as-the-buddha-always-taught-we/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) ## More by George Horne > [Civility is a charm that attracts the love of all men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/civility-is-a-charm-that-attracts-the-love-of-all-men/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Meditation is that exercise of the mind by which it recalls a known truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/meditation-is-that-exercise-of-the-mind-by-which-it-recalls-a-known/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Wit, without wisdom, is salt without meat; and that is but a comfortless dish to set a hungry man down to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/wit-without-wisdom-is-salt-without-meat-and-that-is-but-a-comfortless/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Meditation is that exercise of the mind by which it recalls a known truth, as some kind of creatures do their food, to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/meditation-is-that-exercise-of-the-mind-by-which-it-recalls-a-known-2/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [The sharpest sting of adversity it borrows from our own impatience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/the-sharpest-sting-of-adversity-it-borrows-from-our-own-impatience/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [It is expedient to have acquaintance with those who have looked into the world, who know men, understand business, and can give you good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/it-is-expedient-to-have-acquaintance-with-those-who-have-looked-into/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Meditation is that exercise of the mind, whereby it recalls a known truth, as some kinds of creatures do their food, to be ruminated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/meditation-is-that-exercise-of-the-mind-whereby-it-recalls-a-known/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Observe a method in the distribution of your time. Every hour will then know its proper employment, and no time will be lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/observe-a-method-in-the-distribution-of-your-time-every-hour-will-2/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Riches, honors and pleasure are the sweets which destroy the mind's appetite for heavenly food; poverty, disgrace and pain are the bitters which restore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/riches-honors-and-pleasure-are-the-sweets-which-destroy-the-mind-s/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) > [Patience strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride, bridles the tongue, restrains the hand and tramples upon temptations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horne/patience-strengthens-the-spirit-sweetens-the-temper-stifles-anger/) [George Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) [Explore all 11 George Horne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horne/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Words may be either the servants or masters. If the former they may safely guide us in the way of truth. If the latter they intoxicate the brain and lead into swamps of thought where there is no solid footing. 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