Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by William Empson

Quote by William Empson

“As for the immediate importance of the study of ambiguity, it would be easy enough to take up an alarmist attitude, and say that the English language needs nursing by the analyst very badly indeed. Always rich and dishevelled, it is fast becoming very rich and dishevelled…”

Quote by William Empson

Work

Seven Types of Ambiguity

This book delves into the multifaceted nature of ambiguity, examining its presence and impact in different areas of human thought and expression. more

Author

William Empson
William Empson

William Empson was a British literary critic born on September 27, 1906, and died on April 15, 1984. His work is known for its unique literary analysis and profound philosophical insights. more

You May Also Like

“Inventions are not solely the making of material things, inventions are also the mental unleashing of ideas by a genuis with a sixth sense.”

“Es war ihm beim Zustandekommen dieser unerwarteten Lösung einre jener außer der Regel liegenden Gedanken zu Hilfe gekommen, von denen man nicht sowohl sagen könnte, dass sie erst dann entstehen, wenn man sie nicht mehr erwartet, als vielmehr, dass ihr überraschendes Aufleuchten an das der Geliebten erinnert, die längst schon zwischen den anderen Freundinnen da war, ehe der bestürzte Freier zu verstehen aufhört, dass er ihr andere hat gleichstellen können.”

“You don’t write a book when God called you to publish a library! You don’t plant a tree when God send you to cultivate a forest! You don’t evangelize to a crowd when God called you for a multitude! No matter the circumstances, find yourself doing something relevant and do it till all is well done!”