We should have a great many fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations.

Man is the one name belonging to every nation upon earth: there is one soul and many tongues, one spirit and various sounds; every country has its own speech, but the subjects of speech are common to all.

It is a luxury to be understood.

How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech.

Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.

Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height.

No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.

God never sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make the message clear for them.

I have often repented speaking, but never of holding my tongue.

Writing cannot express words fully; words cannot express thoughts fully.

Language ought to be the joint creation of poets and manual workers.

Unexemplary words and unfounded doctrines are avoided by the noble person. Why utter them?