Much of our modern difficulty, in religion and other things, arises merely from this: that we confuse the word 'indefinable' with the word 'vague.' If some one speaks of a spiritual fact as 'indefinable' we promptly picture something misty, a cloud with indeterminate edges. But this is an error even in commonplace logic. The thing that cannot be defined is the first thing; the primary fact. It is our arms and legs, our pots and pans, that are indefinable. The indefinable is the indisputable. The man next door is indefinable, because he is too actual to be defined. And there are some to whom spiritual things have the same fierce and practical proximity; some to whom God is too actual to be defined.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Confusing indefinable with vague leads to misunderstanding; the indefinable is often the most actual and indisputable reality.
- In plain terms
- Things that can't be defined aren't vague; they are real and solid.
- What can you take from it?
- Distinguish between vague and truly indefinable things.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is something indefinable or just vague?
- How do you define the undefined?
Another view
Not all indefinable things are indisputable; some are just unclear.
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