Language Quote by Steven Erikson
““For Hood's sake,' the foreigner muttered. 'What's wrong with words?' 'With words,' said Redmask, turning away, 'meanings change.' 'Well,' Anaster Toc said, following as Redmask made his way back to his army's camp,.. 'that is precisely the point. That's their value - their ability to adapt -' 'Grow corrupt, you mean. The Letheri are masters at corrupting words, their meanings. They call war peace, they call tyranny liberty. On which side of the shadow you stand decides a word's meaning. Words are the weapons used by those who see others with contempt. A contempt which only deepens when they how those others are deceived and made into fools because they choose to believe. Because in their naivety they thought the meaning of a word was fixed, immune to abuse.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Malazan Book of the Fallen, 2000s
Words are fluid; their meanings shift with context and power, making language a tool for control or resistance.
In simple terms: Meanings change with use and power.
Key Takeaway
Beware how language is used to manipulate.
Themes
language
power
manipulation
truth
communication
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- personal relationships
- education
- activism
Key Concepts
semiotics
political rhetoric
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you challenge fixed meanings?
- What responsibilities come with shaping language?
A Different Perspective
Words can be weaponized, but they also enable resistance when reinterpreted.
