Famous quote by Edsger Dijkstra

Mobile Desktop
About the use of language: it is impossible to sharpen a pencil with a blunt axe. It is equally vain to try to do it wit
Like

"About the use of language: it is impossible to sharpen a pencil with a blunt axe. It is equally vain to try to do it with ten blunt axes instead"

- Edsger Dijkstra

About this Quote

This quote by Edsger Dijkstra is a metaphor for the importance of language. It is stating that if you want to accomplish something, you require to utilize the right tools. In this case, the tool is language. If you want to hone a pencil, you need to use a sharp axe. If you use a blunt axe, you won't be able to hone the pencil. Similarly, if you use ten blunt axes, you still will not be able to hone the pencil. This metaphor is a tip that language is a powerful tool and must be used thoroughly and successfully. It is important to use the right words and phrases to communicate successfully and get the preferred results. If you utilize the wrong words, you won't be able to attain your objectives. For that reason, it is very important to utilize language sensibly and carefully.

About the Author

Netherland Flag This quote is written / told by Edsger Dijkstra between May 11, 1930 and August 6, 2002. He was a famous Scientist from Netherland. The author also have 25 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible - Marion C. Garretty
Marion C. Garretty
"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible"
Marion C. Garretty, Poet
Small: What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express any
Constantin Brancusi
"What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface"
Constantin Brancusi, Sculptor
Small: It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows - Epictetus
Epictetus
"It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows"
Epictetus, Philosopher
Small: The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible - Arthur C. Cla
Arthur C. Clarke
"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible"
Arthur C. Clarke, Writer
Small: Nothing is impossible to a willing heart - John Heywood
John Heywood
"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart"
John Heywood, Dramatist
Small: The word impossible is not in my dictionary - Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
"The word impossible is not in my dictionary"
Napoleon Bonaparte, Leader
Small: The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that whe
Douglas Adams
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair"
Douglas Adams, Writer
Small: There are no rules and regulations for perfect composition. If there were we would be able to put all the info
Arnold Newman
"There are no rules and regulations for perfect composition. If there were we would be able to put all the information into a computer and would come out with a masterpiece. We know that's impossible. You have to compose by the seat of your pants"
Arnold Newman, Photographer
Small: Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent - Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent"
Victor Hugo, Author
Small: Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible - Eric Hoffer
Eric Hoffer
"Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible"
Eric Hoffer, Writer