Book Quote by Samuel R. Delany
“It is a magic book. Words mean things. When you put them together they speak. Yes, sometimes they flatten out and nothing they say is real, and that is one kind of magic. But sometimes a vision will rip up from them and shriek and clank wings clear as the sweat smudge on the paper under your thumb. And that is another kind.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Glass Bead Game” (fictional reference), 1975
Language can be both a mundane tool and a source of vivid, transformative imagination.
In simple terms: Words can be ordinary or magical.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of language.
Themes
creativity
language
imagination
Mood
reflective
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- poetry
- storytelling
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
symbolism
literary magic
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes words feel alive to you?
- How can you harness language’s magic?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone experiences language as magical.
