Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words
Dec. 12 {1854}. When I consider how many useless words are spoken, how many foolish ones, how many which isolate and provoke, how many which pollute the mouth that utters and the ears that listen, I am almost ready to condemn the use of language and to wish that mankind communicate by signs, or by pictures . . .
I think most of us can commiserate with Maria Mitchell on this one – and she wrote this back in 1854! It seems that even then, she took issue with the decline of language and frankly, I am sure she would be appalled today. I think it’s also not just about the use of language but also that sometimes, some things should not be spoken. It is about decorum and thinking before you speak. Often words cause so many problems and the person might not think about it before they say it.
JNLF
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