Great wisdom Quote by The Shaking of the Foundations Paul Tillich
““There is ... a great wisdom in our language. It is the embodiment of innumerable experiences of the past. It is not by chance alone that we use certain visible symbols and do not use others. Therefore, it is often useful to find the reasons for the choices of the collective mind of former generations.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Shaking of the Foundations, date unknown
Language carries accumulated wisdom; the symbols we use reflect collective choices of past generations.
In simple terms: Words hold past experiences and choices.
Key Takeaway
Explore language origins and meanings.
Themes
wisdom
culture
history
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- anthropology
- linguistics
- education
- cultural studies
Key Concepts
symbolism
collective memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do symbols shape our thinking?
- What influences symbol choices?
A Different Perspective
Symbols may be interpreted differently across cultures.
![“[This] is very important to remember when reading or writing or talking or whatever: You are never, ever choosing whether to use symbols. You are choosing which symbols to use.” quote by John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ae/john-green-12_important_this-is-very-important-to-remember-when_801697.jpg)
![“The core symbols we use for God represent what we take to be the highest good…These symbols or images shape our worldview, our ethical system, and our social practice--how we relate to one another. For instance, [Elizabeth A.] Johnson suggests that if a religion speaks about God as warrior, using…” quote by Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ab/sue-monk-kidd-404_quote_the-core-symbols-we-use-for-god-represen_695324.jpg)
