---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: nothing in the literal meaning of those…"
description: "\"“nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks those wrong interpretations. In each case we understand the verb differently, even though its..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg"
---

#  nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks…

![“nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks those wrong interpretations. In each case we understand the verb differently, even though its literal meaning is constant, because in each case our interpretation depends on our Background abilities.” quote by John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg)

> ““nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks those wrong interpretations. In each case we understand the verb differently, even though its literal meaning is constant, because in each case our interpretation depends on our Background abilities.””

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

## About This Quote

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

Interpretations vary with background knowledge despite unchanged literal meaning.

**In simple terms:** Meaning changes with context.

Key Takeaway

Consider context before judging.

Themes

language interpretation context

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

- legal analysis
- literary criticism
- every communication
- cross‑cultural dialogue

Key Concepts

speech acts semantic flexibility

Questions to Reflect On

- How does background shape understanding?
- When can literal meaning be insufficient?

A Different Perspective

Literal meaning alone may mislead without context.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/)

## Related quotes

> [There can be an easy way to interpret things some times and it seems like maybe I'm on the wrong side of those interpretations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-busch/there-can-be-an-easy-way-to-interpret-things-some-times-and-it-seems/)

[Kyle Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-busch/)

> [“In the end, ethical interpretation of the Bible means to think critically about how our practices of textual engagement might help us to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/in-the-end-ethical-interpretation-of-the-bible-means-to-think/)

[Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/)

> [When I discovered blues - I was 12-years-old - I didn't discover it in America where it was from; I discovered it from Fleetwood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-weller/when-i-discovered-blues-i-was-12-years-old-i-didn-t-discover-it-in/)

[Paul Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-weller/)

> [You may not understand your parents' interpretation of love and what they think is best for you, but you have to trust it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovan-adepo/you-may-not-understand-your-parents-interpretation-of-love-and-what/)

[Jovan Adepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovan-adepo/)

> [The attitude of the actor is his interpretation of what he reads, and the written word is what creates the role in the actor's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-barry/the-attitude-of-the-actor-is-his-interpretation-of-what-he-reads-and/)

Gene Barry

> [I don't analyze what I'm doing. I've read convincing interpretations of my work, and sometimes I've noticed something that I wasn't aware of, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sherman/i-don-t-analyze-what-i-m-doing-i-ve-read-convincing-interpretations/)

[Cindy Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sherman/)

> [Apparently, I'm the angriest man. I don't know. It's just an interpretation. If it was someone else, they might be called focused or competitive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alun-wyn-jones/apparently-i-m-the-angriest-man-i-don-t-know-it-s-just-an/)

[Alun Wyn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alun-wyn-jones/)

> [I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-think-the-most-insulting-thing-you-can-do-to-a-director-is-to/)

[Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/)

> [“No algorithm exists for the metaphor, nor can a metaphor be produced by means of a computer’s precise instructions, no matter what the volume…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/no-algorithm-exists-for-the-metaphor-nor-can-a-metaphor-be-produced/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [The person viewing your work has no idea what the scene really looked like, nor do they care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-svob/the-person-viewing-your-work-has-no-idea-what-the-scene-really-looked/)

[Mike Svob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-svob/)

> [If it is true that there is always more than one way of construing a text, it is not true that all interpretations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ricoeur/if-it-is-true-that-there-is-always-more-than-one-way-of-construing-a/)

[Paul Ricoeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ricoeur/)

> [“There is no growth without risk. There is always something to be gained from any experience. It is up to us to interpret our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truth-devour/there-is-no-growth-without-risk-there-is-always-something-to-be/)

Truth Devour

> [“The characteristics of this kind of reading are perhaps summed up in the word “orthodox,” which is almost always applicable. The word comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/the-characteristics-of-this-kind-of-reading-are-perhaps-summed-up-in/)

[Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/)

> [What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/)

[Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

## More by John Rogers Searle

> [“language is precisely designed to be a self-identifying category of institutional facts. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/language-is-precisely-designed-to-be-a-self-identifying-category-of/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“If our imagined tribe just is not disposed to cross the boundaries as a matter of inclination, they do not in our sense have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/if-our-imagined-tribe-just-is-not-disposed-to-cross-the-boundaries-as/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“Moods are not to be confused with emotions. Moods will dispose you to having an emotion. Certain moods you're more likely to get angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/moods-are-not-to-be-confused-with-emotions-moods-will-dispose-you-to/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“I have thus defined the concept of the “Background” as the set of nonintentional or preintentional capacities that enable intentional states of function. But”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/i-have-thus-defined-the-concept-of-the-background-as-the-set-of/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“the point is that the only thing that blocks those interpretations is not the semantic content but simply the fact that you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/the-point-is-that-the-only-thing-that-blocks-those-interpretations-is/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“One lesson to be derived from the study of institutional facts is this: everything we value in civilization requires the creation and maintenance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/one-lesson-to-be-derived-from-the-study-of-institutional-facts-is/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“institutional facts in general require language because the language is partly constitutive of the facts. But”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/institutional-facts-in-general-require-language-because-the-language/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“Intentional states function only given a set of Background capacities that do not themselves consist in intentional phenomena. Thus, for example, beliefs, desires, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/intentional-states-function-only-given-a-set-of-background-capacities/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“Any intentional state only functions, that is, it only determines conditions of satisfaction, against a set of Background abilities, dispositions, and capacities that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/any-intentional-state-only-functions-that-is-it-only-determines/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“there is a radical underdetermination of what is said by the literal meaning of the sentence. There is nothing in the literal meaning of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/there-is-a-radical-underdetermination-of-what-is-said-by-the-literal/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“The best objects to think with are words, because that is part of what words are for. Indeed, it is a condition for something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/the-best-objects-to-think-with-are-words-because-that-is-part-of-what/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“The simplest argument for the thesis of the Background is that the literal meaning of any sentence can only determine its truth conditions or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/the-simplest-argument-for-the-thesis-of-the-background-is-that-the/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“Prediction and explanation are exactly symmetrical. Explanations are, in effect, predictions about what has happened; predictions are explanations about what's going to happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/prediction-and-explanation-are-exactly-symmetrical-explanations-are/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“these points can be made clearer by calling attention to the deontic status of institutional phenomena. Animals running in a pack can have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/these-points-can-be-made-clearer-by-calling-attention-to-the-deontic/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

> [“I do not think there is a sharp dividing line between either the institutional and the non-institutional or the linguistic and the prelinguistic, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/i-do-not-think-there-is-a-sharp-dividing-line-between-either-the/)

[John Rogers Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

[Explore all 18 John Rogers Searle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/)

## More Interpretation quotes

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/)

[Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/)

> [“The characteristics of this kind of reading are perhaps summed up in the word “orthodox,” which is almost always applicable. The word comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/the-characteristics-of-this-kind-of-reading-are-perhaps-summed-up-in/)

[Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/)

> [“There is no growth without risk. There is always something to be gained from any experience. It is up to us to interpret our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truth-devour/there-is-no-growth-without-risk-there-is-always-something-to-be/)

Truth Devour

> [If it is true that there is always more than one way of construing a text, it is not true that all interpretations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ricoeur/if-it-is-true-that-there-is-always-more-than-one-way-of-construing-a/)

[Paul Ricoeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ricoeur/)

> [The person viewing your work has no idea what the scene really looked like, nor do they care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-svob/the-person-viewing-your-work-has-no-idea-what-the-scene-really-looked/)

[Mike Svob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-svob/)

> [“No algorithm exists for the metaphor, nor can a metaphor be produced by means of a computer’s precise instructions, no matter what the volume…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/no-algorithm-exists-for-the-metaphor-nor-can-a-metaphor-be-produced/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-think-the-most-insulting-thing-you-can-do-to-a-director-is-to/)

[Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/)

> [Apparently, I'm the angriest man. I don't know. It's just an interpretation. If it was someone else, they might be called focused or competitive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alun-wyn-jones/apparently-i-m-the-angriest-man-i-don-t-know-it-s-just-an/)

[Alun Wyn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alun-wyn-jones/)

> [I don't analyze what I'm doing. I've read convincing interpretations of my work, and sometimes I've noticed something that I wasn't aware of, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sherman/i-don-t-analyze-what-i-m-doing-i-ve-read-convincing-interpretations/)

[Cindy Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sherman/)

> [The attitude of the actor is his interpretation of what he reads, and the written word is what creates the role in the actor's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-barry/the-attitude-of-the-actor-is-his-interpretation-of-what-he-reads-and/)

Gene Barry

> [You may not understand your parents' interpretation of love and what they think is best for you, but you have to trust it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovan-adepo/you-may-not-understand-your-parents-interpretation-of-love-and-what/)

[Jovan Adepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovan-adepo/)

> [When I discovered blues - I was 12-years-old - I didn't discover it in America where it was from; I discovered it from Fleetwood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-weller/when-i-discovered-blues-i-was-12-years-old-i-didn-t-discover-it-in/)

[Paul Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-weller/)

> [“In the end, ethical interpretation of the Bible means to think critically about how our practices of textual engagement might help us to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/in-the-end-ethical-interpretation-of-the-bible-means-to-think/)

[Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/)

> [History is a matter of interpretation, but you have to start with certain facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kuznick/history-is-a-matter-of-interpretation-but-you-have-to-start-with/)

[Peter Kuznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kuznick/)

[Browse all 1,170 Interpretation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks those wrong interpretations. In each case we understand the verb differently, even though its literal meaning is constant, because in each case our interpretation depends on our Background abilities.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Rogers Searle"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those-sentences-blocks-those-wrong/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Interpretation"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those-sentences-blocks-those-wrong/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/john-rogers-searle-29417_quote_nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those_1315597.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“nothing in the literal meaning of those sentences blocks those wrong interpretations. In each case we…” — John Rogers Searle",
                "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": "John Rogers Searle",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rogers-searle/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“nothing in the literal meaning of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those-sentences-blocks-those-wrong/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rogers-searle/nothing-in-the-literal-meaning-of-those-sentences-blocks-those-wrong/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```