This quote explores the idea that when our usual modes of understanding, our ‘concepts,’ fail us, we often find the right words to express our thoughts and feelings. It suggests that the limitations of our concepts or preconceived notions can actually lead to a more profound and nuanced understanding, expressed through language. It’s in moments of confusion, uncertainty, or complexity, that we can stumble upon the right words that encapsulate our experience.
In other words, when we can’t make sense of something using our existing knowledge or beliefs, we may find new words or ways of expressing ourselves that offer us a deeper understanding. This could be seen as a testament to human adaptability and our ability to find new ways of making sense of the world when our old ways fail us.
Applying this idea to today’s world, one might think about how the rapid pace of change, particularly in technology and social norms, can often leave us feeling as if our old ways of understanding are inadequate. For example, the concepts we once had about work and communication have been drastically altered by the advent of remote work and digital communication platforms. In such situations, we’ve found new words and phrases (like “zoom fatigue”) to describe our experiences.
In terms of personal development, this quote could be seen as encouraging openness to new experiences and ways of understanding. Instead of clinging to old concepts that no longer serve us, we should be open to finding new words that can better express our evolving understanding of the world. It’s a reminder that growth often comes from moments of uncertainty or failure, and that these moments can lead to new insights and ways of expressing ourselves.
