Quote by Thomas Babington Macaulay
Language, the machine of the poet, is best fitted for his purpose in its rudest state. Nations, like individuals, first perceive, and then abstract. They advance from particular images to general terms. Hence the vocabulary of an enlightened society is philosophical, that of a half-civilized people is poetical.
Summary
This quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge suggests that language is most effective for poetry in its simplest form. As societies develop, they move from perceiving specific things to abstract concepts. This is reflected in their language, with more advanced societies using philosophical terms while less developed societies rely on poetic expressions. Coleridge implies that the raw and primitive state of language resonates more powerfully with the emotions and imagination that are the essence of poetry.
Topics
Language
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