--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are few things as toxic as a bad…" description: "\"There are few things as toxic as a bad metaphor. You can't think without metaphors.\" — Mary Catherine Bateson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_metaphor_there-are-few-things-as-toxic-as-a-bad-m_1122311.png" --- # There are few things as toxic as a bad metaphor. You can't… ![“There are few things as toxic as a bad metaphor. You can't think without metaphors.” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_metaphor_there-are-few-things-as-toxic-as-a-bad-m_1122311.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_metaphor_there-are-few-things-as-toxic-as-a-bad-m_1122311.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_metaphor_there-are-few-things-as-toxic-as-a-bad-m_1122311.png) > “There are few things as toxic as a bad metaphor. You can't think without metaphors.” [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that flawed metaphors can poison thought, emphasizing that metaphors shape cognition and must be used carefully. **In simple terms:** Bad metaphors distort thinking. Key Takeaway Choose clear metaphors. Themes language thought metaphor Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - writing - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts cognitive framing semantic precision critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What metaphors shape your worldview? - How can you test a metaphor’s accuracy? A Different Perspective Metaphors are not the only source of bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor/) [Metaphors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphors/) ## Related quotes > [“Everything's a bad metaphor for sex.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-r-bufogle/everything-s-a-bad-metaphor-for-sex/) [Quentin R. Bufogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-r-bufogle/) > [Writers think in metaphors. Editors work in metaphors. A great reader reads in metaphors. All are continually asking, "What does this represent? What does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/writers-think-in-metaphors-editors-work-in-metaphors-a-great-reader-2/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Writers think in metaphors. Editors work in metaphors. 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Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“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/) ## More by Mary Catherine Bateson > [“It's all about being in control of myself as an older woman who lives alone, and it's all about how I am going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/it-s-all-about-being-in-control-of-myself-as-an-older-woman-who-lives/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) > [The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. 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The uncertainty is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/after-all-most-of-us-have-lived-lives-based-on-commitments-made/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) [Explore all 59 Mary Catherine Bateson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) ## More Metaphor quotes > [I think zombies have always been an easy metaphor for hard times. Because they're this big, faceless, brainless group of evil things that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/i-think-zombies-have-always-been-an-easy-metaphor-for-hard-times/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [Helvetica is the jeans, and Univers the dinner jacket. 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