“Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word!”
Explore This Quote Further
Famous Quote by Lewis Carroll
"“Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word!” - Lewis Carroll"
Analysis of "Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word!" by Lewis Carroll
In this quote by Lewis Carroll, the author underscores the value and power of language. By suggesting that saying nothing may be better than saying something, Carroll emphasizes the impact that words can have. The comparison of language to a thousand pounds per word highlights the weightiness and significance of verbal communication. It serves as a reminder to choose our words carefully, as they hold immense value and influence.
Modern Relevance of Wise Words
Lewis Carroll's quote about the value of words highlights the importance of speaking thoughtfully and with purpose. In today's digital age where communication is instant and constant, it is essential to consider the impact of our words before speaking or typing. A single word can have a significant impact on relationships, work, and even one's own well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to use language wisely and consider the weight of each word before speaking.
Reflection Questions:
In Lewis Carroll's quote, the importance of choosing our words wisely is highlighted. Reflecting on this, consider the following questions:
- How often do you stop to think about the impact your words may have on others before speaking?
- In what situations do you find it most challenging to control your words and choose them wisely?
- Have you ever experienced a time when saying nothing was more powerful than speaking?
- How can you work on becoming more intentional with your language and communication style in the future?
Similar quotes
“Alice thought to herself, 'Then there's no use in speaking.' The voices didn't join in this time, as she hadn't spoken, but to her great surprise, they all thought in chorus (I hope you understand what thinking in chorus means--for I must confess that I don't), 'Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word!”
“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.”
“For instance, take the two words "fuming" and "furious." Make up your mind that you will say both words, but leave it unsettled which you will say first. Now open your mouth and speak. If your thoughts incline ever so little towards " fuming," you will say "fuming-furious;" if they turn, by even a hair's breadth, towards "furious," you will say "furious-fuming;" but if you have the rarest of gifts, a perfectly balanced mind, you will say "frumious.”
“Well!” thought Alice to herself. “After such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down-stairs! How brave they’ll all think me at home! Why, I wouldn’t say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house!” (Which was very likely true.)”
“Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end? “I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time?” she said aloud. “I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think—” (for, you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her lessons in the school-room, and though this was not a very good opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) “—yes, that’s about the right distance—but then I wonder what Latitude or Longitude I’ve got to?” (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to say.)”
“I maintain that any writer of a book is fully authorised in attaching any meaning he likes to a word or phrase he intends to use. If I find an author saying, at the beginning of his book, "Let it be understood that by the word 'black' I shall always mean 'white,' and by the word 'white' I shall always mean 'black,'" I meekly accept his ruling, however injudicious I think it.”