Absurd Quote by Noah Webster
“To suppose that man without language taught himself to speak, seems to me as absurd as it would be to suppose that without legs he could teach himself to walk. Language, therefore, must have been the immediate gift of God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828
Language is a divine gift, not self‑taught; humanity could not develop speech without it.
In simple terms: Language is God‑given, not learned alone.
Recognize language as a fundamental, shared tool.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- communication
- cultural development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape identity?
- What would a world without language look like?
Assumes a deity; secular perspectives differ.