Breton Quote by Michael Richardson
““Equally, the surrealists consider words as witnesses of life acting in a direct way in human affairs. To use words properly it was necessary to treat them with respect, for they were the intermediaries between oneself and the rest of creation. To abuse them was immediately to set oneself adrift from true being. Words need to be coaxed to reveal a little of their true nature, so as to close the breach that exists between the writer and the universe. The world is not something alien against which man is in conflict. Rather man and cosmos exist in reciprocal motion. We are not cast adrift in an alien or meaningless environment. The universe is intimate with us and, as Breton insisted, it is a cryptogram to be deciphered.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Surrealist Manifesto, 1942
Words act as bridges between self and cosmos; respecting them aligns us with the universe’s hidden code.
In simple terms: Words connect us to the world; treat them with care.
Key Takeaway
Respect language to connect with reality.
Themes
language
connection
surrealism
philosophy
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- creative practice
- philosophical inquiry
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
semiotics
intermediary
cryptogram
reciprocal motion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you honor words in daily communication?
- What does it mean to see the universe as a cryptogram?
A Different Perspective
Words can be misused, leading to misunderstanding and alienation.
