Confused Quote by Thomas Szasz
![“Like Karl Kraus [Wittgenstein], was seldom pleased by what he saw of the institutions of men, and the idiom of the passerby mostly offended his ear - particularly when they happened to speak philosophically; and like Karl Kraus, he suspected that the institutions could not but be corrupt if the…” quote by Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/thomas-szasz-3801_confused_like-karl-kraus-wittgenstein-was-seldom_2910084.jpg)
“Like Karl Kraus [Wittgenstein], was seldom pleased by what he saw of the institutions of men, and the idiom of the passerby mostly offended his ear - particularly when they happened to speak philosophically; and like Karl Kraus, he suspected that the institutions could not but be corrupt if the idiom of the race was confused, presumptuous, and vacuous, a fabric of nonsense, untruth, deception, and self-deception.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Myth of Mental Illness by Thomas Szasz, 1961
The quote argues that societal institutions become corrupt when the common language is filled with emptiness and deception, leading to widespread self‑deception.
In simple terms: Corrupt institutions arise from meaningless, deceptive speech.
Key Takeaway
Examine and clarify the language you use.
Themes
corruption
language
society
philosophy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- academic debate
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
institutional critique
semantic decay
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the quality of everyday language shape societal values?
- What steps can we take to foster honest communication?
A Different Perspective
If the language is already clear, corruption may stem from other factors like power dynamics.
