Quote by Rainer Maria Rilke
Just as language has no longer anything in common with the thing it names, so the movements of most of the people who live in cities have lost their connection with the earth; they hang, as it were, in the air, hover in all directions, and find no place where they can settle.
Summary
This quote reflects on the disconnection between language and its meaning, likening it to the disconnection between city dwellers and the earth. Language has evolved to the point where its relationship with what it signifies has been diminished. Similarly, the movements of urban inhabitants have lost touch with the grounding and stability that the earth provides. They wander aimlessly, without a sense of belonging or finding a place to settle. Overall, the quote speaks to the detachment and restlessness experienced by many individuals in modern society.