Words—so innocent and powerless as they are, become terrible masters of men.
Meaning
Language has powerful influence over human thought and behavior.
Best Wisdom Quotes with Meaning
Share image
Preview of the image used when this quote is shared on social networks.
About the author
Why This Quote Matters
What Nathaniel Hawthorne captures here is how Powers intersect with character and follow-through.
At its heart, it teaches that Language has powerful influence over human thought and behavior. It can be a bookmark for mornings, a pause before replies, a filter for goals.
How to Apply This Quote in Life
If you lead others, model Power in meetings by listening before pitching. Remove one distraction that fights Powers so your attention has a fair chance.
Over time, that practice steadies decisions without needing constant inspiration.
Related quotes
-
“Fear corrupts intelligence and is one of the causes of egotism.”
Meaning: Fear distorts thinking and behavior. -
“The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.”
Meaning: Sowell emphasizes the importance of authority and decision-making in policy and society, questioning who has the right to determine outcomes. -
“Fear is simply because you are not living with life, you are living in your mind.”
Meaning: Fear comes from imagination, not reality. -
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
Meaning: Your thoughts shape your identity and reality. -
“The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.”
Meaning: You should control your mind, not be controlled by it. -
“Dreams are the royal road to the unconscious.”
Meaning: Freud believed dreams reveal hidden desires and thoughts. By analyzing dreams, one can gain insight into the unconscious mind. -
“The secret of political bargaining is to look more strong than what you really are.”
Meaning: Perception plays a role in leadership. -
“Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.”
Meaning: A controversial observation about social control. -
“Power is not something that is handed down, it is something that is taken.”
Meaning: Empowerment requires action.
