Alive Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Words are alive. Cut them and they bleed.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
Language shapes reality; harming words harms thought and feeling.
In simple terms: Words have power; hurting them hurts.
Key Takeaway
Speak mindfully.
Themes
language
expression
power
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- debate
- teaching
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
philosophy
poetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you choose words that heal?
- What impact does harsh language have on listeners?
A Different Perspective
Words can be reclaimed through positive use.
![“For exactly the same reason, it is sometimes satisfying to cut yourself and bleed. On those gray [sic] days where eight in the morning looks no different from noon and nothing has happened and nothing is going to happen and you are washing a glass in the sink and it breaks - accidentally - and…” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84b/augusten-burroughs-603_alive_for-exactly-the-same-reason-it-is-someti_937002.jpg)
