Words don’t have mass, nor do they occupy any space — and yet, they matter. They matter because when they are string together and turned into sentences, the ideas that emerge from there can make or break the world. Let’s take a look at seven such powerful sentences that are capable of destroying one’s worldview, or alternatively, creating a new one.
Immanuel Kant on mistaking friend for enemy
Immanuel Kant, in one of his finest works Critique of Pure Reason, wrote:
The light dove, in free flight, cutting through the air the resistance of which it feels, could get the idea that it could do even better in airless space.
Immanuel Kant’s dove metaphor speaks for itself. It’s not just about the dove. The metaphor of dove and its flight is meant for all of us. Quite often we do not realise the fact that what seems to be stopping us could be helping us move forward. You can extend this thought to the other aspects of your life. Do you think your parents are stopping you? Do you think your job is stopping you? Think again, then.
George Orwell on communism
During the 1930s, there were many apologists for Joseph Stalin’s brutalities, which he committed in the name of building a workers’ paradise fit for an improved humanity. The apologists complacently said, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.” To which George Orwell acidly replied:
Where's the omelet?
Where’s the omelet? This sentence is still used by the critics of communism. The message is simple and powerful. Sure you (communists) talk about progress and doing some collateral damage for it, but where is your progress?
G.K. Chesterton on feminism
G.K. Chesterton was perhaps one of the finest writers of the twentieth century. Chesterton always defended the common man and that’s why he receives more love from the conservatives. The progressives, however, may have a hard time wrapping their heads around some of his ideas. Take, for instance, the below quote on feminism:
Feminism is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands.
I wonder how many sentiments got hurt after reading it. Take your time to recover!
Roger Scruton on Liberals
When you think of a liberal, you naturally assume that he or she will believe in liberty. However, it’s not true. Roger Scruton, makes this crucial distinction in his book Liberty and Civilization: The Western Heritage:
Liberty is not the same thing as equality, and that those who call themselves liberals are far more interested in equalizing than in liberating their fellows.
The point is that ever since the unholy marriage of Liberalism and the political Left took place, the former lost many of its virtues.
Sam Harris on atheism
Sam Harris is an atheist. A celebrity atheist at that! But, he doesn’t like the term. The term itself is hollow, according to him. In his book Letter to a Christian Nation, Harris says:
Atheism is a term that should not even exist: no one ever needs to identify himself as a "non-astrologer" or a "non-alchemist"; we do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens have traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle.
The problem is, if we are not supposed to use the term atheist, then how are we going to introduce Sam Harris?
Thomas Sowell on Pakistan
No, Thomas Sowell didn’t say anything on Pakistan. But there is a sentence in his book Intellectuals and Society, which kind of does. Here is the sentence:
The idea of rescuing oppressed minorities ignored the prospect—since become a reality—that oppressed minorities who became rulers of their own nations would immediately begin oppressing other minorities under their control.
Given how Pakistan was made for a minority community and how it — constitutionally — discriminates against its minorities, the founding-fathers should have given it a thought. Too bad they didn’t read Thomas Sowell.
Douglas Murray on victimhood
We are surrounded by bullies. The problem is, we don’t see them. We don’t see too many people shouting foul epithets and derogatory names. Instead, what we constantly see is, a large number of people claiming how they — or their communities — have been victimised. What if these people who cry (as if they are the victims) are the real bullies? Douglas Murray makes a case for that.
Ever since victimhood triumphed over heroism, the bullies of our world have instead come proclaiming the language of the hurt and upset, of weakness and suffering.
Of course, the real victim will get hurt and upset, and might cry too. But, you must not forget that the bullies are also participating in this game. Be very, very careful!
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