---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You take the words in the sense which is…"
description: "\"“You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.”\" — Plato"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg"
---

#  You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to…

![“You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg)

> ““You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.””

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

## About This Quote

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

Choosing words that damage an argument weakens the discussion and undermines truth.

**In simple terms:** Harsh words hurt arguments.

Key Takeaway

Use precise, constructive language in debates.

Themes

communication logic argumentation

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

- classroom debate
- online forum
- political discourse
- legal cross‑examination

Key Concepts

rhetoric critical thinking philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- What words strengthen your point?
- When is bluntness appropriate?

A Different Perspective

Over‑politeness can also dilute clarity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/)

## Related quotes

> [Arguments derived from probabilities are idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/arguments-derived-from-probabilities-are-idle/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [History was an incredibly damaging experience, and now it's over . . . in a sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/history-was-an-incredibly-damaging-experience-and-now-it-s-over-in-a/)

[Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/)

> [Few things give rise to imprecise rhetoric like the issue of race. It's understandable, but damaging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/few-things-give-rise-to-imprecise-rhetoric-like-the-issue-of-race-it/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Playing favorites is one of the most damaging problems in any group of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-whipple/playing-favorites-is-one-of-the-most-damaging-problems-in-any-group/)

[Robert Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-whipple/)

> [The most damaging phrase in the language is: 'It's always been done that way.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-hopper/the-most-damaging-phrase-in-the-language-is-it-s-always-been-done/)

[Grace Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-hopper/)

> [Your liver is your vital detoxification organ, and if it becomes overloaded with toxins from the food, drink, or medications you're consuming, you'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/your-liver-is-your-vital-detoxification-organ-and-if-it-becomes/)

[Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/)

> [I think that Obama's failure to reestablish the rule of law in money matters is the most damaging thing that he's done - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/i-think-that-obama-s-failure-to-reestablish-the-rule-of-law-in-money/)

[James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/)

> [But if you know that something has been really vicious, you don't read it, you don't let it into your head. What's damaging is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigella-lawson/but-if-you-know-that-something-has-been-really-vicious-you-don-t-read/)

[Nigella Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigella-lawson/)

> [Violence is not a constitutionally protected right. Damaging property is not a constitutionally protected right; inciting violence is not a constitutionally protected right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-g-slay/violence-is-not-a-constitutionally-protected-right-damaging-property/)

Francis G. Slay

> [The wrongful arrest of tens of thousands of British Muslims after the September 11 attacks can be explained by the very poor intelligence the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-wrongful-arrest-of-tens-of-thousands-of-british-muslims-after-the/)

[Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/)

> [How can we teach our children to be responsible beyond themselves and care for other human beings' welfare and for the welfare of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-reuben/how-can-we-teach-our-children-to-be-responsible-beyond-themselves-and/)

[Gloria Reuben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-reuben/)

> [I'm not an extreme tree-hugger. I do believe trees grow and are a useful agricultural product that can be harvested without damaging the ecology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/i-m-not-an-extreme-tree-hugger-i-do-believe-trees-grow-and-are-a/)

[John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/)

> [I'm going to work with Republicans when they do things I agree with and I'm going to fight Republicans when they're doing things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-m-going-to-work-with-republicans-when-they-do-things-i-agree-with/)

[Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/)

> [Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of the bonus culture, which drives risk-taking that is rational for individuals but damaging to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-schekman/just-as-wall-street-needs-to-break-the-hold-of-the-bonus-culture/)

[Randy Schekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-schekman/)

> [Digital sound is damaging music; it's damaging the artists. It's so degrading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-iovine/digital-sound-is-damaging-music-it-s-damaging-the-artists-it-s-so/)

[Jimmy Iovine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-iovine/)

## More by Plato

> [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

[Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

## More Argument quotes

> [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

> [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/)

[Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/)

> [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/)

[Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/)

> [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/)

[John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/)

> [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/)

[Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/)

> [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/)

[Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/)

> [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

> [“Arguments led by subjectivity are a waste of time. And, if they take place online, add to that, a waste of one’s keyboard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/arguments-led-by-subjectivity-are-a-waste-of-time-and-if-they-take/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [If in the middle of an argument I suddenly fall silent it does not mean you have won... No it means you should probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/if-in-the-middle-of-an-argument-i-suddenly-fall-silent-it-does-not/)

[Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/)

> [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/)

[Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/)

> [“The motive behind my arguments have always been to come at truth. I am not interested in conquering anyone with my ideologies or seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-evans/the-motive-behind-my-arguments-have-always-been-to-come-at-truth-i-am/)

[Crystal Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-evans/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

[Browse all 3,479 Argument quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Plato"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is-most-damaging-to-the-argument/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Argument"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is-most-damaging-to-the-argument/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/plato-103_argument_you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is_556919.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.” — Plato",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Plato",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“You take the words in the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is-most-damaging-to-the-argument/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is-most-damaging-to-the-argument/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
