Michael Tippett Quotes

When one man speaks to another man who doesn't understand him, and when a man who's speaking no longer understands, it's metaphysics.

We find few disputes, that are not founded on some ambiguity in the expression [thereof].

If you can't get yourself understood, you may have trouble, so you need some interpretation every now and again wherever you might be.

Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?

Inconceivable!" "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

It is by discourse that men associate, and words are imposed according to the apprehension of the vulgar. And therefore the ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obsesses the understanding. Nor do the definitions or explanations wherewith in some things learned men are wont to guard and defend themselves, by any means set the matter right. But words plainly force and overrule the understanding, and throw all into confusion, and lead men away into innumerable and inane controversies and fancies.

People like to say, 'What do you mean exactly?' I would answer, 'I mean, but not exactly.'

If we go on explaining we shall cease to understand one another.

Confusion is a word we have invented for an order which is not understood.

Not understanding anything is terrible, because I communicate very much in my real life.

Ambiguity in directors is a hard thing to deal with.

If I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said.

Sometimes I think it's possible to mistake desire for clarity and talking in a no-nonsense way for aggression.

For my next trick I will make everyone understand me.

It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.

There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.

I cannot be understood in three minutes.

I love language, and I love the failure of language.

Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish.

Any order that can be misunderstood, will be misunderstood

Don't express your ideas too clearly. Most people think little of what they understand, and venerate what they do not.

Without language, thought is a vague, uncharted nebula.

If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better.

You have to put up with the risk of being misunderstood if you are going to try to communicate.