That is not good LANGUAGE which all understand not

Meaning & Analysis

If language is not comprehensible to everyone, then it is not truly good or effective language.

Insights

Accessibility in Communication

This proverb emphasizes the value of clarity and inclusiveness in speech or writing. Language that alienates through obscurity or elitism fails its primary function—to connect. The deeper idea is that true eloquence lies in making ideas understandable, not impressive.

Elitism vs. Common Understanding

Symbolically, the proverb critiques pretentious or overly academic language that serves more to showcase the speaker's knowledge than to enlighten others. It warns against the temptation to use language as a tool of social division rather than shared understanding.

Democratic Ideal of Language

The proverb reflects a cultural preference for egalitarian discourse, rejecting the notion that intellectual or artistic merit lies in obscurity. It supports the idea that effective language should uplift and include, rather than exclude or confuse.

Language as Social Currency

Throughout history, command of 'high' language often marked class distinction or educational privilege. This saying counters that trend, asserting that language gains real value only when it transcends social boundaries and is shared broadly.

Parallel to Biblical and Classical Rhetoric

The proverb echoes principles found in biblical texts (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:9–11, which values intelligibility in speech) and classical rhetoric, where persuasion depends on clarity, appropriateness, and audience awareness.

Rhetorical Devices

Antithesis

The proverb hinges on a subtle antithesis between 'good language' and 'not understood by all,' enhancing its memorability through the tension between presumed quality and actual communicative success.

Implicit Definition

It defines 'good language' not by form or style but by its social utility—comprehensibility—making its message a form of metalinguistic commentary.

languagecommunicationclarityelitismaccessibilityrhetoric

Analyzed with gpt-4o on July 10, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

— 1640, HERB., no. 298

(understands)

— 1659, N.R., p. 98

— 1664, COD., p. 218

— 1670, RAY, p. 27

Cross References

W530 Think (Write) with the wise (learned) but talk with the vulgar.

Related Proverbs

N331 They that have NOTHING need fear to lose nothing 96.0%A323 He that shoots always aright forfeits his ARROW 94.8%D181 Nobody DECEIVED but he that confides (trusts) 94.5%D126 To lament the DEAD avails not and to the living it is hurtful 94.4%L554 In LOVE's wars he who flies is conqueror 94.4%Y50 A well-bred YOUTH neither speaks of himself nor, being spoken to, is silent 94.3%A185 He that believes ALL misses, he that believes nothing hits not 94.3%A165 ALL that a man thinks comes not to pass 94.3%W755 There is no WOOL so white but a dyer can make it black 94.3%P450 A POET in adversity can hardly make verses 94.2%A335 It is ART to hide art 94.2%C685 Good COUNSEL lightly never comes too late 94.2%F557 Who has neither FOOLS nor beggars nor whores among his kindred was born of a stroke of thunder 94.2%L351 It is better to pay and have LITTLE than have much and to be in debt 94.1%C538 To it again, nobody COMES 94.1%S6 It is a bad SACK (case) that will abide no clouting 94.1%L162 He never has a bad LEASE that has a good landlord 94.1%C766 Who will sell the COW must say the word 94.1%B367 Each BIRD loves to hear himself sing 93.9%L164 Who is more busy than he that has LEAST to do? 93.9%

These connections are generated using word-embeddings. Learn more.