--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Words are not (except in theirown little…" description: "\"Words are not (except in theirown little corner) facts or things;we need therefore to prise them off the world, to hold them apart from and against it,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bc/john-austin-104682_great-saying-by-grea_words-are-not-except-in-theirown-little_2947017.jpg" --- # Words are not (except in theirown little corner) facts or… ![“Words are not (except in theirown little corner) facts or things;we need therefore to prise them off the world, to hold them apart from and against it, so that we can realize their inadequacies and arbitrariness, and can re-look at the world withoutblinkers.” quote by John Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bc/john-austin-104682_great-saying-by-grea_words-are-not-except-in-theirown-little_2947017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bc/john-austin-104682_great-saying-by-grea_words-are-not-except-in-theirown-little_2947017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bc/john-austin-104682_great-saying-by-grea_words-are-not-except-in-theirown-little_2947017.jpg) > “Words are not (except in theirown little corner) facts or things;we need therefore to prise them off the world, to hold them apart from and against it, so that we can realize their inadequacies and arbitrariness, and can re-look at the world withoutblinkers.” John Austin This quote is also attributed to [J. L. Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-austin/) in other sources. Attributions for famous quotes are often disputed. ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Words are constructs we must separate from reality to see their limits and arbitrariness. **In simple terms:** Words are tools, not facts. Key Takeaway Question language assumptions. Themes Language Philosophy Critical thinking Reality Constructs Mood Analytical Skeptical Type Great saying by great authors:1 Language:1 Words:1 Apart Realize:0 Words Theirown:0 World Withoutblinkers:0 Realize Inadequacies:0 When to use this quote - Academic writing - Debate preparation - Media analysis - Education planning Key Concepts Linguistic relativism Conceptual analysis Epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you accept about language? - How can recognizing arbitrariness free thought? A Different Perspective Words can also shape reality, not just reflect it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [Words are not (except in their own little corner) facts or things: we need therefore to prise them off the world, to hold them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-austin/words-are-not-except-in-their-own-little-corner-facts-or-things-we/) [J. L. Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-austin/) > [“Sometimes two people need to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together." 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