You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
read more

You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!

I can remember the lush spring excitement of language in childhood. Sitting in church, rolling it around my mouth like read more

I can remember the lush spring excitement of language in childhood. Sitting in church, rolling it around my mouth like marbles--tabernacle and pharisee and parable, tresspass and Babylon and covenant.

Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons read more

Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests.

If it is true that the violin is the most perfect of musical instruments, then Greek is the violin of read more

If it is true that the violin is the most perfect of musical instruments, then Greek is the violin of humn thought.

For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies read more

For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies have only to find it.

If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found the time to conquer the world.

If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found the time to conquer the world.

All true language is incomprehensible, like the chatter of a beggar's teeth.

All true language is incomprehensible, like the chatter of a beggar's teeth.

Like a diaphanous nightgown, language both hides and reveals.

Like a diaphanous nightgown, language both hides and reveals.

Mechanical difficulties with language are the outcome of internal difficulties with thought.

Mechanical difficulties with language are the outcome of internal difficulties with thought.