Alterations Quote by Thomas Paine
“The continually progressive change to which the meaning of words is subject, the want of a universal language which renders translation necessary, the errors to which translations are again subject, the mistakes of copyists and printers, together with the possibility of willful alteration, are themselves evidences that human language, whether in speech or print, cannot be the vehicle of the Word of God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Reason, 1794
Language constantly evolves, making perfect translation impossible and exposing texts to errors and intentional changes, thus it cannot fully convey divine truth.
In simple terms: Words change, so translation is imperfect and can be altered.
Key Takeaway
Recognize language limits when seeking spiritual truth.
Themes
language
translation
faith
truth
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- religious study
- academic research
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
semantic drift
translation theory
textual criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we discern divine meaning amid linguistic change?
- Can any translation truly capture original intent?
A Different Perspective
Even with careful translation, nuances may be lost or distorted.
![“I campaigned for [Barack] Obama for more than a year. I was in Iowa, Minnesota, California, Arizona - just traveling around to help get the word out. It was such a huge, spirited campaign, and so positive. But you travel around to cities in the U.S. now and there's just this hopelessness that has…” quote by Scarlett Johansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be9/scarlett-johansson-2233_administration_i-campaigned-for-barack-obama-for-more-t_1831554.jpg)
![“A generation ago [the Democratic Party] stood for progressive change. Now they defend every federal program as if each were sacred. They have become the most conservative force in American politics.” quote by Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/67f/thomas-friedman-1784_american-politics_a-generation-ago-the-democratic-party-st_1826311.jpg)
