--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Words are the clothing of our thoughts." description: "\"“Words are the clothing of our thoughts.”\" — Jonathan Swift" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg" --- # Words are the clothing of our thoughts. ![“Words are the clothing of our thoughts.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg) > ““Words are the clothing of our thoughts.”” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thoughts are expressed through language, shaping how ideas are perceived. **In simple terms:** Words dress our ideas. Key Takeaway Choose words that reflect true intentions. Themes language expression thought Mood reflective philosophical Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - writing - public speaking - teaching - personal reflection Key Concepts semantics communication Questions to Reflect On - How do your words shape your reality? - Do you dress thoughts truthfully? A Different Perspective Words can mislead if not chosen carefully. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothing/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [“The mind has a definite way of clothing one's thoughts in appropriate physical equivalents. Think in terms of poverty and you will live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-mind-has-a-definite-way-of-clothing-one-s-thoughts-in-appropriate/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [As people who know me know, probably to a fault, I am usually not without thoughts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/as-people-who-know-me-know-probably-to-a-fault-i-am-usually-not/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [“To assess the quality of thoughts of people, don't listen to their words, but watch their actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/to-assess-the-quality-of-thoughts-of-people-don-t-listen-to-their/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“With best thoughts, words and actions we align our past, present and future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-dallas-jr/with-best-thoughts-words-and-actions-we-align-our-past-present-and/) [John R. Dallas Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-dallas-jr/) > [“Think kind thoughts and be gentle with what you say, If you are lost for words, Take a minute, To just stop and pray”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-j-forde-2/think-kind-thoughts-and-be-gentle-with-what-you-say-if-you-are-lost/) [Charmaine J. Forde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-j-forde-2/) > [In the past some of the most influential Jewish, Christian and Muslim theologians, such as Maimonides, Aquinas and Ibn Sina, made it clear that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/in-the-past-some-of-the-most-influential-jewish-christian-and-muslim/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the imagination is worth a thousand pictures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-e-b-spredemann/if-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-then-the-imagination-is-worth/) [J.E.B. Spredemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-e-b-spredemann/) > [Words, which are the dress of thoughts, deserve surely more care than clothes, which are only the dress of the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/words-which-are-the-dress-of-thoughts-deserve-surely-more-care-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We are constantly evolving products of the influences we take into our brains. What we look at, what we long for-to a large extent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bogel/we-are-constantly-evolving-products-of-the-influences-we-take-into/) [Anne Bogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bogel/) > [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don't live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don't be an automaton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cash-penney/determine-to-do-some-thinking-for-yourself-don-t-live-entirely-upon/) [James Cash Penney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cash-penney/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [All that we are is the result of what we have thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-that-we-are-is-the-result-of-what-we-have-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) ## More by Jonathan Swift > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/he-said-he-knew-no-reason-why-those-who-entertain-opinions/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-with-borrow-d-silver-shine-what-you-see-is-none-of-mine-first-i/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A favor is half granted, when graciously refused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-favor-is-half-granted-when-graciously-refused/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-never-wonder-to-see-men-wicked-but-i-often-wonder-to-see-them-not/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/the-best-maxim-i-know-in-this-life-is-to-drink-your-coffee-when-you/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A lie is an excuse guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-lie-is-an-excuse-guarded/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-forward-critic-often-dupes-us-with-sham-quotations-peri-hupsos-and/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [May you live every day of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/may-you-live-every-day-of-your-life/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/ale-is-meat-drink-and-cloth-it-will-make-a-cat-speak-and-a-wise-man/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/all-fits-of-pleasure-are-balanced-by-an-equal-degree-of-pain-or/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/satire-is-a-sort-of-glass-wherein-beholders-do-generally-discover/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“When a great genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/when-a-great-genius-appears-in-the-world-you-may-know-him-by-this/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I have ever hated all nations, professions, and communities, and all my love is toward individuals: for instance, I hate the tribe of lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-have-ever-hated-all-nations-professions-and-communities-and-all-my/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [So endless and exorbitant are the desires of men that they will grasp at all, and can form no scheme of perfect happiness with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/so-endless-and-exorbitant-are-the-desires-of-men-that-they-will-grasp/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) [Explore all 535 Jonathan Swift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## More Clothing quotes > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [“You should wear whatever clothing you feel most comfortable in. Being comfortable in yourself is the best way to be attractive to others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/you-should-wear-whatever-clothing-you-feel-most-comfortable-in-being/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [Clothing doesn’t lie, it shows everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yohji-yamamoto/clothing-doesn-t-lie-it-shows-everything/) [Yohji Yamamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yohji-yamamoto/) > [I never thought I'd have a clothing line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boosie/i-never-thought-i-d-have-a-clothing-line/) [Boosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boosie/) > [It's always uncomfortable for me when I take off my shirt. No one else is taking their shift off. Why is everyone else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-lautner/it-s-always-uncomfortable-for-me-when-i-take-off-my-shirt-no-one-else/) [Taylor Lautner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-lautner/) > [The first clothing line I had was called Very Rue. Then we changed the name and moved to QVC, and the name became A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rue-mcclanahan/the-first-clothing-line-i-had-was-called-very-rue-then-we-changed-the/) [Rue McClanahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rue-mcclanahan/) > [“Twice, in half an hour, Hetty had held up Miss Barlow's plans, and prevented her from moving as quickly as possible on to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-gibbons/twice-in-half-an-hour-hetty-had-held-up-miss-barlow-s-plans-and/) [Stella Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-gibbons/) > [Clothing should be like food. There should never be a $5000 sweater. You know what should cost $5000? A car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/clothing-should-be-like-food-there-should-never-be-a-5000-sweater-you/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [Clothing is art. It's an expression of how you feel. I think that it's not so much a question of a certain style or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/clothing-is-art-it-s-an-expression-of-how-you-feel-i-think-that-it-s/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I'm just showing my personality in my clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-m-just-showing-my-personality-in-my-clothing/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [That's when you know you know somebody. When you know every piece of clothing they have in their wardrobe. That's friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-glazer/that-s-when-you-know-you-know-somebody-when-you-know-every-piece-of/) [Ilana Glazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-glazer/) > [I am not really interested in clothing as a conceptual art form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/issey-miyake/i-am-not-really-interested-in-clothing-as-a-conceptual-art-form/) [Issey Miyake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/issey-miyake/) > [For me, the best way to know me is to look at my clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rei-kawakubo/for-me-the-best-way-to-know-me-is-to-look-at-my-clothing/) [Rei Kawakubo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rei-kawakubo/) > [Art is the clothing of a revelation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/art-is-the-clothing-of-a-revelation/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [“In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/in-a-meat-eating-world-wearing-leather-for-shoes-and-even-clothes-the/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) [Browse all 336 Clothing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Words are the clothing of our thoughts.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Swift" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clothing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d97/jonathan-swift-433_clothing_words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts-2_2914239.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Words are the clothing of our thoughts.” — Jonathan Swift", "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": "Jonathan Swift", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Words are the clothing of our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/words-are-the-clothing-of-our-thoughts/#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 } } ] } ```