Language Quote by Jose Saragamo
““In a matter of a moment the amount of sand in the upper part of the hour-glass had dwindled dramatically, the tiny grains were rushing through the opening, each grain more eager to leave then the last, time is just like people, sometimes it’s all it can do to drag itself along, but at others, it runs like a deer and leaps like a young goat, which, when you think about it, is not saying much, since the cheetah is the fastest of all the animals, and yet it has never occurred to anyone to say of another person He runs and jumps like a cheetah, perhaps because that first comparison comes from the magical late middle ages, when gentlemen went deer-hunting and no one had ever seen a cheetah running or even heard of its existence. Languages are conservative, they always carry their archives with them and hate having to be updated.””
About This Quote
A metaphorical reflection on time and language, comparing sand in an hourglass to animals and noting linguistic conservatism.
In simple terms: Time flows like sand; language resists change.
Key Takeaway
Observe change.
Themes
time
language
metaphor
history
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- educational talks
- writing
Key Concepts
philosophy
linguistics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape perception of time?
- What modern metaphors replace old ones?
A Different Perspective
Complex and verbose.
