Words...

The philosopher must ask each word to yield thoroughly a definition which possesses an exactitude that may well terrify the ordinary man.

He must become a hunter and wander through the forests of verbal meaning to track down real meaning. He will not rush prematurely into utterance.

Words are cheap for the ordinary man but dear for him. His studied hesitation leads, however, closer to truth.

This interpretational discipline must be vigorously applied until it leads to a thorough understanding of all concepts which are the essential counters in philosophical research.

For when men go astray in their definitions of these highly important terms, they will surely go astray in their thinking, and thence be led astray altogether from truth.


-- Notebooks Category 7: The Intellect >
Chapter 5: Semantics > # 29
Paul Brunton