At a certain point, what people mean when they use a word becomes its meaning.
William SafireRead
Never assume the obvious is true.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against taking things at face value and encourages critical thinking.
William Safire's quote highlights the importance of questioning what we often consider to be obviously true. It serves as a reminder that assumptions can lead us to incorrect conclusions and that we should engage our critical thinking skills to seek deeper understanding and clarity.
Themes
AssumptionTruthCritical ThinkingPerceptionWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting discussing project outcomes, you might say this quote to encourage colleagues to analyze results more deeply rather than accepting them as they are.
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Stop worrying about the 'dumbing down' of our language by bloggers, tweeters, cableheads and MSM thumbsuckers engaged in a 'race to the bottom' of the page by little minds confined to little words.
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Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.
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Sometimes I know the meaning of a word but am tired of it and feel the need for an unfamiliar, especially precise or poetic term, perhaps one with a nuance that flatters my readership's exquisite sensitivity.
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