--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the critic's vocabulary, the word…" description: "\"In the critic's vocabulary, the word \"precursor\" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg" --- # In the critic's vocabulary, the word "precursor" is… ![“In the critic's vocabulary, the word "precursor" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is that every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future." -- Essay: "Kafka and his…” quote by Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg) > “In the critic's vocabulary, the word "precursor" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is that every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future." -- Essay: "Kafka and his Precursors” [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers shape history by redefining past narratives, influencing future thought. **In simple terms:** Authors change how we view history and future. Key Takeaway Recognize your role in shaping ideas. Themes literature history influence Mood analytical reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - academic writing - creative writing - teaching - critical analysis Key Concepts narrative theory cultural memory Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do you become a precursor for others? - How does redefining the past affect future creation? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on individual impact may ignore collective forces. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Connotation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotation/) [Connotations Polemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotations-polemic-1393524/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Essay Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essay-kafka-1393523/) [Essays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essays/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indispensable/) [Kafka Precursors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kafka-precursors-1393521/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Polemics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polemics/) [Precursors Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precursors-work-681148/) [Rivalry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivalry/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Vocabulary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocabulary/) [Word Precursor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-precursor-1393522/) ## Related quotes > [Every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/every-writer-creates-his-own-precursors-his-work-modifies-our/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The fact is that all writers create their precursors. Their work modifies our conception of the past, just as it is bound to modify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-fact-is-that-all-writers-create-their-precursors-their-work/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“The fact is that every author creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-fact-is-that-every-author-creates-his-own-precursors-his-work/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [In the critics' vocabulary, the work 'precursor' is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemics or rivalry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critics-vocabulary-the-work-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [When reason and unreason come into contact, an electrical shock occurs. This is called polemics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/when-reason-and-unreason-come-into-contact-an-electrical-shock-occurs/) [Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/) > [The camera can photograph thought. It's better than a paragraph of sweet polemic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-bogarde/the-camera-can-photograph-thought-it-s-better-than-a-paragraph-of/) [Dirk Bogarde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-bogarde/) > [Good writing must stay open to the questions and not fall prey to the pull of a polemic, otherwise, words simply become predictable, sentimental,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/good-writing-must-stay-open-to-the-questions-and-not-fall-prey-to-the/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [The polemics of right-wing radio are putting nothing less than hate onto the airwaves, into the marketplace, electing it to office, teaching it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-j-williams/the-polemics-of-right-wing-radio-are-putting-nothing-less-than-hate/) [Patricia J. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-j-williams/) > [Any work of architecture that has with it some discussion, some polemic, I think is good. It shows that people are interested, people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-meier/any-work-of-architecture-that-has-with-it-some-discussion-some/) [Richard Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-meier/) > [Monster is a compassionate picture without any obvious agenda. And it's effective precisely because it's not a polemic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zacharek/monster-is-a-compassionate-picture-without-any-obvious-agenda-and-it/) [Stephanie Zacharek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zacharek/) > [No doubt one may quote history to support any cause, as the devil quotes scripture; but modern history is not a very satisfactory side-arm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/no-doubt-one-may-quote-history-to-support-any-cause-as-the-devil/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [You can't please everyone, especially if you're doing very radical things at the vanguard of cooking. That's life; it's a polemic I've lived with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/you-can-t-please-everyone-especially-if-you-re-doing-very-radical/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [Passionate and forcefully argued, Tar Sands is a wake-up call not just to Canadians but to the wider world to take a serious look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-macmillan/passionate-and-forcefully-argued-tar-sands-is-a-wake-up-call-not-just/) [Margaret MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-macmillan/) > [Thinking is the subtlest form of self-polemics, the art of a certain finesse in psychological self-vivisection and self-crucifixion (Hegel of course called the path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/thinking-is-the-subtlest-form-of-self-polemics-the-art-of-a-certain/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [This book is not a polemic treatise but a powerful, well-researched account that sensitizes any reader to the ways in which in-difference permits brutality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-swomley/this-book-is-not-a-polemic-treatise-but-a-powerful-well-researched/) [John M Swomley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-swomley/) ## More by Jorge Luis Borges > [“No hables a menos que puedas mejorar el silencio.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/no-hables-a-menos-que-puedas-mejorar-el-silencio/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [How can we manage to illuminate the pathos of our lives?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/how-can-we-manage-to-illuminate-the-pathos-of-our-lives/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Loneliness does not worry me; life is difficult enough, putting up with yourself and with your own habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/loneliness-does-not-worry-me-life-is-difficult-enough-putting-up-with/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The fact is that all writers create their precursors. Their work modifies our conception of the past, just as it is bound to modify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-fact-is-that-all-writers-create-their-precursors-their-work/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I don't think we're capable of knowledge, but I like to keep an open mind. So if you ask me whether I believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/i-don-t-think-we-re-capable-of-knowledge-but-i-like-to-keep-an-open/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The web of time - the strands of which approach one another, bifurcate, intersect, or ignore each other through the centuries - embraces "every"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-web-of-time-the-strands-of-which-approach-one-another-bifurcate/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“My memory, sir, is like a garbage disposal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/my-memory-sir-is-like-a-garbage-disposal/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [When I write, I do it urged by an intimate necessity. I don't have in mind an exclusive public, or a public of multitudes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/when-i-write-i-do-it-urged-by-an-intimate-necessity-i-don-t-have-in/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The mind was dreaming. The world was its dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-mind-was-dreaming-the-world-was-its-dream/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I foresee that man will resign himself each day to new abominations, and soon that only bandits and soldiers will be left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/i-foresee-that-man-will-resign-himself-each-day-to-new-abominations/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“If I could live again - I will travel light, If I could live again - I'll try to work bare feet at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/if-i-could-live-again-i-will-travel-light-if-i-could-live-again-i-ll/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Every man should be capable of all ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/every-man-should-be-capable-of-all-ideas/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Writing is only a guided dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/writing-is-only-a-guided-dream/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) [Explore all 558 Jorge Luis Borges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) ## More Connotation quotes > [It's a pity that there's such a negative connotation about paying for sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-sprinkle/it-s-a-pity-that-there-s-such-a-negative-connotation-about-paying-for/) [Annie Sprinkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-sprinkle/) > [Each one of us has a 'wanna-be' in us. 'Wanna-be' is a sweet term used with a negative connotation. I also love being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-grover/each-one-of-us-has-a-wanna-be-in-us-wanna-be-is-a-sweet-term-used/) [Sunil Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-grover/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Altermodern is an in-progress redefinition of modernity in the era of globalisation, stressing the experience of wandering in time, space and mediums. The term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-bourriaud/altermodern-is-an-in-progress-redefinition-of-modernity-in-the-era-of/) [Nicolas Bourriaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-bourriaud/) > [Being blond is definitely a different state of mind. I can't really put my finger on it, but the artifice of being blond has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/being-blond-is-definitely-a-different-state-of-mind-i-can-t-really/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Whenever I hear someone describe something as a 'kids movie' or a 'family movie,' it immediately has a negative connotation in my mind because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/whenever-i-hear-someone-describe-something-as-a-kids-movie-or-a/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [I get told I'm a confessional songwriter, which gets on my tits because I think of negative connotations attached to the word "confessional". I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-orton/i-get-told-i-m-a-confessional-songwriter-which-gets-on-my-tits/) [Beth Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-orton/) > [In most circles, the idea of economic planning has been in disrepute most of the time and, particularly in America, has almost carried connotations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/in-most-circles-the-idea-of-economic-planning-has-been-in-disrepute/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [Women need to take charge of their lives and be as dynamic and active as they can be. I know that some people feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/women-need-to-take-charge-of-their-lives-and-be-as-dynamic-and-active/) [Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/) > [I am a Libertarian. I want to be known as a Libertarian and a Constitutionalist in the tradition of the early James Madison -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/i-am-a-libertarian-i-want-to-be-known-as-a-libertarian-and-a/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I have an addictive personality. Sport is my drug of choice these days. It's one of the best drugs there is. It keeps you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-wellington/i-have-an-addictive-personality-sport-is-my-drug-of-choice-these-days/) [Chrissie Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-wellington/) > [Apparently, despite my awareness of its pejorative connotation, procrastinating is something I fall victim to quite frequently. I'm not proud of it; I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/apparently-despite-my-awareness-of-its-pejorative-connotation/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [I'm no diva but I can be annoying in a recording studio. Of course I try to be a diva in terms of confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-scherzinger/i-m-no-diva-but-i-can-be-annoying-in-a-recording-studio-of-course-i/) [Nicole Scherzinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-scherzinger/) > [Without the connotation good or bad, bin Laden's a great man in the sense that he's influenced the course of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/without-the-connotation-good-or-bad-bin-laden-s-a-great-man-in-the/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [I like a narrative, even if it's fractured, or kind of psychedelic. But my favorite thing is if I hear words and I close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-like-a-narrative-even-if-it-s-fractured-or-kind-of-psychedelic-but/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) [Browse all 145 Connotation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the critic's vocabulary, the word \"precursor\" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is that every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.\" -- Essay: \"Kafka and his Precursors", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jorge Luis Borges" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Connotation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-prec_917405.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the critic's vocabulary, the word \"precursor\" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all…” — Jorge Luis Borges", "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": "Jorge Luis Borges", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In the critic's vocabulary, the word...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/#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 } } ] } ```