--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is still not enough for language to…" description: "\"It is still not enough for language to have clarity and content... it must also have a goal and an imperative. Otherwise from language we descend to ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/ren-daumal-22451_clarity_it-is-still-not-enough-for-language-to-h_3205161.jpg" --- # It is still not enough for language to have clarity and… ![“It is still not enough for language to have clarity and content... it must also have a goal and an imperative. Otherwise from language we descend to chatter, from chatter to babble and from babble to confusion.” quote by Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/ren-daumal-22451_clarity_it-is-still-not-enough-for-language-to-h_3205161.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/ren-daumal-22451_clarity_it-is-still-not-enough-for-language-to-h_3205161.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/ren-daumal-22451_clarity_it-is-still-not-enough-for-language-to-h_3205161.jpg) > “It is still not enough for language to have clarity and content... it must also have a goal and an imperative. Otherwise from language we descend to chatter, from chatter to babble and from babble to confusion.” [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language needs purpose and direction; without them it devolves into meaningless noise. **In simple terms:** Language must have a goal. Key Takeaway Give language intent. Themes communication purpose clarity Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - writing - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts semantics imperative meaning Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your words serve a clear goal? - What purpose guides your communication? A Different Perspective Even with purpose, unclear intent can cause misinterpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) [Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confusion/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) ## Related quotes > [In language clarity is everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-language-clarity-is-everything/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The chief virtue that language can have is clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/the-chief-virtue-that-language-can-have-is-clarity/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [“I am a horse for a single harness, not cut out for tandem or teamwork … for well I know that in order to attain any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/i-am-a-horse-for-a-single-harness-not-cut-out-for-tandem-or-teamwork/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [In Holland I have seen well-meaning, principled people blinded by multiculturalism, overwhelmed by the imperative to be sensitive and respectful of immigrant culture, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/in-holland-i-have-seen-well-meaning-principled-people-blinded-by/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) > [With golf becoming part of the Olympics now, it is even more imperative that more of the middle class get access to the sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeev-milkha-singh/with-golf-becoming-part-of-the-olympics-now-it-is-even-more/) [Jeev Milkha Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeev-milkha-singh/) > [“The aesthetical imperative: If you desire to see, learn how to act”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/the-aesthetical-imperative-if-you-desire-to-see-learn-how-to-act/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [“Functional programming has excellent support for writing imperative programs, with the added benefit that such programs can be reasoned about equationally because they're referentially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/functional-programming-has-excellent-support-for-writing-imperative/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We live in a permanent state of bad faith, a mutual representation of ourselves to one another for the sake of remaining sane and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/we-live-in-a-permanent-state-of-bad-faith-a-mutual-representation-of/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > ['Eternal inflation,' as it's called - the endless generation of new universes - may be a hyper-cosmic imperative. It seems that it must happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/eternal-inflation-as-it-s-called-the-endless-generation-of-new/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [The typical imperative from biology is not "Thou shalt... ," but "If ... then ... else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-typical-imperative-from-biology-is-not-thou-shalt-but-if-then-else/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [And I think we need a combination of a freeze, potentially, and also we need to sit down with the - with the banking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-wasserman-schultz/and-i-think-we-need-a-combination-of-a-freeze-potentially-and-also-we/) [Debbie Wasserman Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-wasserman-schultz/) > [Gender equality cannot be achieved by cutting programs that allow girls to get the same chance to compete, learn, and play. The United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-sanchez/gender-equality-cannot-be-achieved-by-cutting-programs-that-allow/) [Linda Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-sanchez/) > [A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/a-categorical-imperative-would-be-one-which-represented-an-action-as/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [Protecting our planet is a moral imperative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-rockstrom/protecting-our-planet-is-a-moral-imperative/) [Johan Rockstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-rockstrom/) > [“A basic moral imperative is in play here. If you can protect a child, you must.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/a-basic-moral-imperative-is-in-play-here-if-you-can-protect-a-child/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) ## More by Rene Daumal > [“Now, in my readings and in my travels I have heard, like you, about men of a superior type, possessing the keys to all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/now-in-my-readings-and-in-my-travels-i-have-heard-like-you-about-men/) [René Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [The door to the invisible must be visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/the-door-to-the-invisible-must-be-visible/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [“I am dead because I lack desire, I lack desire because I think I possess, I think I possess because I do not try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/i-am-dead-because-i-lack-desire-i-lack-desire-because-i-think-i/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [In the mythic tradition, the Mountain is the bond between Earth and Sky. Its solitary summit reaches the sphere of eternity, and its base…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/in-the-mythic-tradition-the-mountain-is-the-bond-between-earth-and/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [I am dead because I have no desire, I have no desire because I think I possess, I think I possess because I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/i-am-dead-because-i-have-no-desire-i-have-no-desire-because-i-think-i/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [Each time dawn appears, the mystery is there in its entirety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/each-time-dawn-appears-the-mystery-is-there-in-its-entirety/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [Definition: Alpinism is the art of going through the mountains confronting the greatest dangers with the biggest of cares. What we call art here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/definition-alpinism-is-the-art-of-going-through-the-mountains/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [“I'm very much aware I can't think. I'm a poet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/i-m-very-much-aware-i-can-t-think-i-m-a-poet/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [Words are made for a certain exactness of thought, as tears are for a certain degree of pain. What is least distinct cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/words-are-made-for-a-certain-exactness-of-thought-as-tears-are-for-a/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [When feet doesn't want to hold you, you climb with your head. Maybe it isn't the natural order of things, but isn't it better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/when-feet-doesn-t-want-to-hold-you-you-climb-with-your-head-maybe-it/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/you-cannot-stay-on-the-summit-forever-you-have-to-come-down-again-so/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [Philosophy teaches how man thinks he thinks; but drinking shows how he really thinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/philosophy-teaches-how-man-thinks-he-thinks-but-drinking-shows-how-he/) [Rene Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [“I am dead because I have no desire, I have no desire because I think I possess, I think I possess because I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/i-am-dead-because-i-have-no-desire-i-have-no-desire-because-i-think-i-2/) [René Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [“Eternity He who binds himself to a joy Does the winged life destroy But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/eternity-he-who-binds-himself-to-a-joy-does-the-winged-life-destroy/) [René Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) > [“Most of you,' he went on, 'already know how I have been able to limit the area of investigation in a first approximation. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-daumal/most-of-you-he-went-on-already-know-how-i-have-been-able-to-limit-the/) [René Daumal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) [Explore all 26 Rene Daumal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-daumal/) ## More Clarity quotes > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Anything well written with good language and clarity and honesty is worth doing. It comes out of the same tradition as Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/anything-well-written-with-good-language-and-clarity-and-honesty-is/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [“Writers whose thoughts are expressed with clarity and precision are assumed by readers to be superficial. Where the meaning is obscured, then readers give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/writers-whose-thoughts-are-expressed-with-clarity-and-precision-are/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [It comes a moment that someone says something really small, but fits so perfect into your heart that everything start to make sense!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laylablack/it-comes-a-moment-that-someone-says-something-really-small-but-fits/) Laylablack > [“Replaying the past in your mind won't change the present; it only steals the clarity needed to shape what comes next.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-meyering-sr/replaying-the-past-in-your-mind-won-t-change-the-present-it-only/) Joseph Meyering Sr > [Rain is good for me. I feel like I achieve clarity actually when it rains. The longer I have to sit and wait, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/rain-is-good-for-me-i-feel-like-i-achieve-clarity-actually-when-it/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [It's my feeling that any writer can get an emotion into a story without being sentimental as long as the emotion is dealt with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baxter/it-s-my-feeling-that-any-writer-can-get-an-emotion-into-a-story/) [Charles Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baxter/) > [President Obama has never summarized the Obama Doctrine with such clarity, but here is what it would look like: 'I will undertake any military…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/president-obama-has-never-summarized-the-obama-doctrine-with-such/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [The law of polarity brings forth clarity to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mercado/the-law-of-polarity-brings-forth-clarity-to-your-life/) [Joseph Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mercado/) > [In meditation you withdraw from others and focus your attention inside to gain purity of mind and wisdom energy. Then you must become extroverted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-n-goenka/in-meditation-you-withdraw-from-others-and-focus-your-attention/) [S. N. Goenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-n-goenka/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I think clarity is the real risk in poetry because you are exposed. You're out in the open field. You're actually saying things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-collins/i-think-clarity-is-the-real-risk-in-poetry-because-you-are-exposed/) [Billy Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-collins/) > [I decided to be a filmmaker when I was 12. I had utter clarity that this would be my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hooper/i-decided-to-be-a-filmmaker-when-i-was-12-i-had-utter-clarity-that/) [Tom Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hooper/) > [The translucence that comes when life hardens into a bead of such cruel perfection you see it with the purest clarity. Everything suddenly there--life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/the-translucence-that-comes-when-life-hardens-into-a-bead-of-such/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) [Browse all 1,601 Clarity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is still not enough for language to have clarity and content... it must also have a goal and an imperative. 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