Words are the leaves of the tree of language, of which, if some fall away, a new succession takes their read more

Words are the leaves of the tree of language, of which, if some fall away, a new succession takes their place.

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.

Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is read more

Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the free and compacted composition of all.

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy read more

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy of a community between the present and the past.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
read more

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
This gain of our best glory shall be sent,
T' enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th' yet unformed Occident
May come refin'd with th' accents that are ours?

Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have a different effect.

Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have a different effect.

Grammar, which knows how to lord it over kings, and with high
hands makes them obey its laws.
read more

Grammar, which knows how to lord it over kings, and with high
hands makes them obey its laws.
[Fr., La grammaire, qui sait regenter jusqu'aux rois,
Et les fait, la main haute, obeir a ses lois.]

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.