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The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Book by George Campbell · 6 quotes · Metaphor, Language, Meaning

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The Philosophy of Rhetoric Quotes

“Nothing is more certain than that this trope [metaphor], when temperately and appositely used, serves to add light to the expression and energy to the sentiment. On the contrary, when vaguely and intemperately used, nothing can serve more effectually to cloud the sense, where there is sense, and by consequence to conceal the defect, where there is no sense to show.”

Metaphor Meaning Sense

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric

“And as to ordinary metaphors, or those which have already received the public sanction, and which are commonly very numerous in every tongue, the metaphorical meaning comes to be as really ascertained by custom in the particular language as the original, or what is called the literal meaning of the word. And in this respect metaphors stand on the same foot of general use with proper terms.”

Metaphor Meaning Sanctions Tropes

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric

“With regard to metaphor, it is certain, that in all languages there are many words which at first had one sense only, and afterwards acquired another by metaphorical application, of which words both senses are now become so current, that it would be difficult for any but an etymologist to determine which is the original and which the metaphorical.”

Language Metaphor Meaning

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric

“It may be further remarked, that in some words the metaphorical sense hath justled out the original sense altogether, so that in respect of it they are become obsolete. Of this kind in our tongue are the verbs to train, to curb, to edify, to enhance, the primitive significations whereof were to draw, to bend, to build, to lift.”

Language Metaphor Meaning

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric

“…in whatever light they [figurative words that have become literal] may be considered by the grammarian and the lexicographer, they cannot be considered as genuine metaphors by the rhetorician. I have already assigned the reason. They have nothing of the effect of metaphor upon the hearer. On the contrary, like proper terms, they suggest directly to his mind, without the intervention of any image, the ideas which the speaker proposed to convey by them.”

Language Metaphor Meaning

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric

“...if we critically examine any language, ancient or modern, and trace its several terms and phrases to their source, we shall find it hold invariably, that all the words made use of, to denote spiritual and intellectual things, are in their origin metaphors, taken from the objects of sense.”

Language Metaphor Meaning

Book:The Philosophy of Rhetoric

Source: The Philosophy of Rhetoric