"Language is like money, without which specific relative values may well exist and be felt, but cannot be reduced to a common denominator"
- George Santayana
About this Quote
This quote by George Santayana is an effective metaphor for the importance of language. Language resembles cash because it is a tool that enables us to interact and express our ideas and feelings. Without language, we would be unable to communicate our ideas and feelings to others, and our thoughts and feelings would remain isolated and unexpressed. Language is likewise like money because it enables us to assign relative worths to things. We can use language to compare and contrast various concepts and experiences, and to assign value to them. Without language, we would be unable to do this, and our ideas and sensations would remain abstract and intangible. Language is likewise like cash because it allows us to lower our thoughts and sensations to a common measure. We can utilize language to reveal our ideas and feelings in a manner that is easy to understand to others, and to communicate our ideas and sensations in a way that is significant and relatable. Without language, our ideas and sensations would stay isolated and unexpressed. This quote by George Santayana is an effective suggestion of the value of language and its ability to bring people together and to enable us to communicate our thoughts and sensations in a significant method.