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The afflicted are not listened to. They are like someone whose tongue has been cut out and who occasionally forgets the fact. When they move their lips no ear perceives any sound. And they themselves soon sink into impotence in the use of language, because of the certainty of not being heard.
Simone Weil
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the struggle of the marginalized who feel voiceless and powerless in society.

Simone Weil's quote speaks to the profound isolation experienced by those who are suffering and unheard. It likens their plight to that of someone who has lost their ability to communicate, illustrating how the inability to express oneself leads to a diminishing sense of agency and identity. The reference to silence and impotence emphasizes how societal neglect can render individuals invisible and unable to articulate their pain, ultimately leading to a loss of hope and self-worth.

Themes

AfflictedSilencePowerlessnessLanguageSuffering

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech addressing social injustices, one might quote Weil to emphasize the need to listen to marginalized voices.

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