At a certain point, what people mean when they use a word becomes its meaning.
William SafireRead
Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sloppiness in speech can stem from a lack of knowledge or a lack of concern, but ultimately both are unimportant.
William Safire's quote reflects a view on communication, suggesting that carelessness in how we speak might arise from either ignorance or apathy. However, he expresses indifference to the cause, implying that the impact of such sloppiness is what truly matters, highlighting the importance of clarity and intention in communication.
Themes
SpeechCommunicationClarityCarelessnessIgnorance
In practice
Example use cases
During a public speaking event to stress the importance of precise language.
More from William Safire
All quotes βPreviously known for its six syllables of sweetness and light, reconciliation has become the political fighting word of the year.
William SafireRead
Dangling punch lines to forgotten stories remain in the language like the smile of the Cheshire cat.
William SafireRead
Never assume the obvious is true.
William SafireRead
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.
William SafireRead
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.
William SafireRead
Similar quotes
The key to the trap is, of course, education. The feminine mystique has made higher education for women seem suspect, unnecessary and even dangerous. But I think that education, and only education, has saved, and can continue to save, American women from the greater dangers of the feminine mystique.
Betty FriedanRead
Working with children is the easiest part of educating for democracy, because children are still undefeated and have no stake in being prejudiced.
Margaret HalseyRead
There's no question that a great teacher can make a huge difference in a student's achievement, and we need to recruit, train and reward more such teachers. But here's what some new studies are also showing: We need better parents. Parents more focused on their children's education can also make a huge difference in a student's achievement.
Thomas FriedmanRead
Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you.
Louis L'AmourRead
See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
John RuskinRead
I had an American journalist say to me, "Is it true you wrote the whole of the first novel on napkins?" I was tempted to say, "On teabags, I used to save them.
J. K. RowlingRead