O Aristotle! if you had had the advantage of being "the freshest modern" instead of the greatest ancient, would you not have mingled your praise of metaphorical speech, as a sign of high intelligence, with a lamentation that intelligence so rarely shows itself in speech without metaphor,–that we can so seldom declare what a thing is, except by saying it is something else?
In George Eliot's "The Mill on the Floss," a reflection on Aristotle's position is presented, emphasizing the complexities of language and understanding. The author suggests that if Aristotle had lived in modern times, he would not only have celebrated the use of metaphorical language as a mark of intelligence but would also have expressed regret over the rarity of clear, direct communication.
This contemplation raises a critical observation about human expression, pointing out that we often struggle to articulate the essence of things without resorting to metaphor. It highlights the inherent challenges in language, suggesting that true clarity in thought is elusive, and that metaphor tends to dominate our attempts to convey meaning beyond straightforward definitions.
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