"Whatever you say it is, it isn't"

Alfred Korzybski’s assertion, “Whatever you say it is, it isn’t,” challenges the reliability of language as a direct representation of reality. Words act as symbols, abstractions created to stand for our experiences and observations, but they can never fully encompass the richness, complexity, and ever-changing nature of what they represent. Language draws boundaries and distinctions where, in the flow of reality, there may be none. As soon as something is named or categorized, nuances and details intrinsic to that thing are inevitably left out, altered, or oversimplified.

Consider the act of labeling a tree: the word “tree” compresses countless unique characteristics – species, age, the ecosystem it inhabits, the texture of its bark, the shifting colors of its leaves, its interactions with wind and wildlife – into a single, static concept. Even more specific descriptions like “oak,” or “the old oak on the corner,” cannot fully evoke the lived, dynamic entity that exists outside of language. Our statements, therefore, should be recognized as partial, provisional, and context-dependent rather than as fixed truths.

Korzybski’s aphorism also hints at the dangers of mistaking descriptions for the things themselves. When belief in definitions or labels hardens into certainty, cognitive flexibility diminishes. Misunderstandings, conflicts, and rigid thinking often rise from forgetting the gulf between words and experiences. Error frequently creeps in when people mistake ideological labels, diagnoses, or categories for fundamental truths, rather than seeing them as tools for navigation and communication.

Adopting Korzybski’s perspective encourages humility and openness. Being aware of language’s limitations leads to greater caution in making judgments and assumptions. It invites curiosity, recognizing that reality always exceeds our verbal frameworks, and fosters a willingness to question, refine, or even let go of inadequate descriptions. In doing so, one can more fully engage with the world’s richness beyond the boundaries of words.