---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has not been for nothing that the word…"
description: "\"It has not been for nothing that the word has remained man's principal toy and tool: without the meanings and values it sustains, all man's other tools..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/lewis-mumford-2870_principal_it-has-not-been-for-nothing-that-the-wor_2530399.png"
---

#  It has not been for nothing that the word has remained…

![“It has not been for nothing that the word has remained man's principal toy and tool: without the meanings and values it sustains, all man's other tools would be worthless.” quote by Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/lewis-mumford-2870_principal_it-has-not-been-for-nothing-that-the-wor_2530399.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/lewis-mumford-2870_principal_it-has-not-been-for-nothing-that-the-wor_2530399.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/lewis-mumford-2870_principal_it-has-not-been-for-nothing-that-the-wor_2530399.png)

> “It has not been for nothing that the word has remained man's principal toy and tool: without the meanings and values it sustains, all man's other tools would be worthless.”

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

## About This Quote

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

Language is humanity’s primary tool; without meaning, other tools are useless, highlighting the central role of communication.

**In simple terms:** Language is our essential tool.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate clear communication.

Themes

communication meaning tool

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

statement philosophical

When to use this quote

- education
- marketing
- software design

Key Concepts

linguistics philosophy technology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you ensure meaning is clear?
- What tools complement language?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on language can obscure non‑verbal cues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Man Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-tools-1337525/) [Meanings Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meanings-values-1337523/) [Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principal/) [Tool Meanings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tool-meanings-1337522/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Values Sustains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values-sustains-1337521/) [Word Remained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-remained-1337524/) [Worthless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthless/)

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