There can be no doubt that distrust of words is less harmful than unwarranted trust in them. Besides, to distrust words, and indict them for the horrors that might slumber unobtrusively within them --isn't this, after all, the true vocation of the intellectual?

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of remaining critical and skeptical towards words and their potential implications. It suggests that it is more harmful to trust words blindly without questioning their underlying meanings and intentions. The quote also portrays the intellectual's role as that of someone who examines, challenges, and exposes the hidden dangers that words may carry. It highlights the necessity of distrust as a means to encourage thoughtful analysis and prevent individuals from being easily swayed or manipulated by rhetoric.

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