Our chief defect is that we are more given to talking about things than to doing them.
Jawaharlal NehruRead
A language is something infinitely greater than grammar and philology. It is the poetic testament of the genius of a race and a culture, and the living embodiment of the thoughts and fancies that have moulded them
Interpretation
What this quote means
Language embodies the essence of a culture, transcending mere grammatical rules.
This quote by Jawaharlal Nehru emphasizes that language is not just a set of rules or a subject of study, but a deep reflection of a culture's identity and creativity. It highlights how language captures the unique thoughts, emotions, and experiences of a people, showcasing their intellectual and artistic heritage throughout history.
Themes
LanguageCultureIdentityExpressionCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on cultural studies, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of language in understanding societal values.
More from Jawaharlal Nehru
All quotes →India has known the innocence and insouciance of childhood, the passion and abandon of youth, and the ripe wisdom of maturity that comes from long experience of pain and pleasure; and over and over a gain she has renewed her childhood and youth and age
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Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
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Crises and deadlocks when they occur have at least this advantage, that they force us to think.
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What we really are matters more than what other people think of us.
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Loyal and efficient work in a great cause, even though it may not be immediately recognized, ultimately bears fruit.
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We gave you a perfectly good language and you f***ed up.
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