We ought not to extract pernicious honey from poison blossoms of misrepresentation and mendacious half-truth, to pamper the course appetite of bigotry and self-love.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Talk of the devil, and his horns appear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Discussing negative topics often brings them to life or makes them more apparent.
This quote suggests that when we talk about negative things or people, it may give them more presence and power in our lives, similar to how speaking about the devil conjures a mental image of him appearing. It highlights the idea that our thoughts and discussions can shape our reality, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Themes
DevilTalkNegativityPresenceThoughtsReality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about workplace culture, one might say, 'We must be careful; talk of the devil, and his horns appear when we focus too much on the negative aspects of our situation.'
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
All quotes βCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Often do the spirits stride on before the event; and in today already walks tomorrow.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Mr. Lyell's system of geology is just half the truth, and no more. He affirms a great deal that is true, and he denies a great deal which is equally true; which is the general characteristic of all systems not embracing the whole truth.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
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