"So long as I confine my thoughts to my own ideas divested of words, I do not see how I can be easily mistaken"
- George Berkeley
About this Quote
This quote by George Berkeley recommends that a person can prevent making mistakes by believing in regards to principles and concepts, instead of counting on words to express them. He suggests that when we utilize words to communicate our ideas, we can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. He recommends that if we focus on the ideas themselves, instead of the words utilized to express them, we can avoid making errors. This is since the ideas themselves are more concrete and less open up to interpretation. By focusing on the concepts, we can guarantee that our thoughts are accurately communicated and comprehended. Berkeley's quote motivates us to think more deeply and to focus on the concepts behind our words, instead of the words themselves.
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