If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.
Interpretation
We should remain silent about things that cannot be expressed clearly.
This quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein emphasizes the limits of language and understanding. It suggests that when a topic is beyond our ability to articulate or comprehend, it is wiser to refrain from discussing it, acknowledging that some aspects of existence may be too complex or profound to be captured through words.
In practice
During a philosophical debate where complex topics arise, this quote can be referenced to highlight the challenges of articulating profound ideas.
If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
One cannot guess how a word functions. One has to look at its use and learn from that. But the difficulty is to remove the prejudice which stands in the way of doing this. It is not a stupid prejudice.
No one likes having offended another person; hence everyone feels so much better if the other person doesn't show he's been offended. Nobody likes being confronted by a wounded spaniel. Remember that. It is much easier patiently - and tolerantly - to avoid the person you have injured than to approach him as a friend. You need courage for that.
It's impossible for me to say one word about all that music has meant to me in my life. How, then, can I hope to be understood?
Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.
My day passes between logic, whistling, going for walks, and being depressed. I wish to God that I were more intelligent and everything would finally become clear to me - or else that I needn't live much longer.
I clearly saw the skeleton underneath all this show of personality what is left of a man and all his pride but bones?
I think the tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing -- his sense of personal dignity.
The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery; standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy.
Every dictator is a mystic, and every mystic is a potential dictator. A mystic craves obedience from men, not their agreement. He wants them to surrender their consciousness to his assertions, his edicts, his wishes, his whims - as his consciousness is surrendered to theirs. He wants to deal with men by means of faith and force - he finds no satisfaction in their consent if he must earn it by means of facts and reason.
Any man who does not accept the conditions of life sells his soul.
The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.
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