--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In fact, words are well adapted for…" description: "\"In fact, words are well adapted for description and the arousing of emotion, but for many kinds of precise thought other symbols are much better.\" — Jo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/john-b-s-haldane-10480_adapted_in-fact-words-are-well-adapted-for-descr_2705749.jpg" --- # In fact, words are well adapted for description and the… ![“In fact, words are well adapted for description and the arousing of emotion, but for many kinds of precise thought other symbols are much better.” quote by John B. S. Haldane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/john-b-s-haldane-10480_adapted_in-fact-words-are-well-adapted-for-descr_2705749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/john-b-s-haldane-10480_adapted_in-fact-words-are-well-adapted-for-descr_2705749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/john-b-s-haldane-10480_adapted_in-fact-words-are-well-adapted-for-descr_2705749.jpg) > “In fact, words are well adapted for description and the arousing of emotion, but for many kinds of precise thought other symbols are much better.” [John B. S. Haldane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-b-s-haldane/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Words excel at describing and evoking feelings, but precise ideas often need other symbols. **In simple terms:** Words are good for feeling, not precise thought. Key Takeaway Use appropriate symbols for precise concepts. Themes language symbolism precision Mood analytical instructive Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - scientific writing - mathematical modeling - artistic expression - education Key Concepts cognitive communication symbolic representation Questions to Reflect On - When should symbols replace words? - What symbols best convey complex ideas? A Different Perspective Relying solely on words can limit clarity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Precise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precise/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) ## Related quotes > [It isn't up to the painter to define the symbols. 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Haldane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-b-s-haldane/) ## More Adapted quotes > [A 'modern' man has nothing to add to modernism, if only because he has nothing to oppose it with. The well-adapted drop off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/a-modern-man-has-nothing-to-add-to-modernism-if-only-because-he-has/) [Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/) > [. . . by natural selection our mind has adapted itself to the conditions of the external world. It has adopted the geometry most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/by-natural-selection-our-mind-has-adapted-itself-to-the-conditions-of/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [ David Mamet, Tim Kazurinsky, and Denise DeClue, who adapted \[ About Last Night\]. Between the three of them... I mean, it's always down to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/david-mamet-tim-kazurinsky-and-denise-declue-who-adapted-about-last/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [To be quite honest, I've been very blessed when I've worked with Hollywood. The studios that have purchased my work to be adapted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/to-be-quite-honest-i-ve-been-very-blessed-when-i-ve-worked-with/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [More birds have adapted to a changing world than have failed. 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