Abstraction Quote by V. S. Naipaul
“Where jargon turns living issues into abstractions, and where jargon ends by competing with jargon, people don't have causes. They only have enemies.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Bend in the River, V. S. Naipaul, 1979
When language becomes overly technical, it obscures real problems and creates adversarial thinking rather than purpose.
In simple terms: Jargon hides real issues and creates enemies.
Key Takeaway
Beware jargon that masks purpose.
Themes
communication
power
conflict
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- corporate meetings
- academic conferences
- media analysis
Key Concepts
semantic distortion
identity
politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does jargon affect your perception of problems?
- When is technical language necessary?
A Different Perspective
Jargon can also clarify complex ideas when used responsibly.
![“I hate ideologies of all kinds, so I avoid jargon. I've done enough philosophy to know that some specialized terms are really needed. I don't complain when Kant does it. Or when Aristotle introduces all kinds of new words; he needed them. But these other people [modern philosophers] are just…” quote by William H. Gass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/808/william-h-gass-4166_all-kinds_i-hate-ideologies-of-all-kinds-so-i-avoi_2092376.jpg)
