"Words without correspondent ideas are worse than useless, they are counterfeit coin, which imposes upon the ignorant and unwary; but words, which really represent ideas, are not only of current use, but of sterling value; they not only shew our present store, but they increase our wealth by keeping it in continual circulation; both the principal and the interest increase together."
— Edgeworth, Maria
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Joseph Johnson
Date
1798
Metaphor
"Words without correspondent ideas are worse than useless, they are counterfeit coin, which imposes upon the ignorant and unwary; but words, which really represent ideas, are not only of current use, but of sterling value; they not only shew our present store, but they increase our wealth by keeping it in continual circulation; both the principal and the interest increase together."
Metaphor in Context
Rousseau declaims with eloquence, and often with justice, against what he calls knowledge of words. Words without correspondent ideas are worse than useless, they are counterfeit coin, which imposes upon the ignorant and unwary; but words, which really represent ideas, are not only of current use, but of sterling value; they not only shew our present store, but they increase our wealth by keeping it in continual circulation; both the principal and the interest increase together. The importance of signs and words in our reasonings has been eloquently explained, since the time of Condillac, by Stewart. We must use the ideas of these excellent writers, because they are just and applicable to the art of education; but whilst we use, it is with proper acknowledgments that we borrow, what we shall never be able to return.
(Vol I, p. 64)
(Vol I, p. 64)
Categories
Provenance
Contributed by PC Fleming
Citation
1 entry in ESTC (1798).
Edgeworth, Maria and Richard Lovell Edgeworth. Practical Education; by Maria Edgeworth, Author of Letters for Literary Ladies, and the Parent’s Assistant; and by Richard Lovell Edgeworth, F.R.S. and M.R.I.A., 2 vols. (London: Printed for Joseph Johnson, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1798). <Link to ESTC><Vol I, Link to ECCO><Vol II, Link to ECCO>
Thomas Beddoes contributed to chapter 1. Chapters 13-18 by R. L. Edgeworth; the rest by Maria Edgeworth. Based on the Edgeworths' own experiences, and a work by Richard Lovell and Honora Edgeworth, privately printed in 1780. Maria began this work at least as early as 1796.
Bibliographical description and metaphors contributed by PC Fleming. See also Richard Lovell and Honora Edgeworth's Practical Education: or, The History of Harry and Lucy. (Lichfield: Printed by J. Jackson. And sold by J. Johnson, London, 1780). <Link to ESTC>
Edgeworth, Maria and Richard Lovell Edgeworth. Practical Education; by Maria Edgeworth, Author of Letters for Literary Ladies, and the Parent’s Assistant; and by Richard Lovell Edgeworth, F.R.S. and M.R.I.A., 2 vols. (London: Printed for Joseph Johnson, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1798). <Link to ESTC><Vol I, Link to ECCO><Vol II, Link to ECCO>
Thomas Beddoes contributed to chapter 1. Chapters 13-18 by R. L. Edgeworth; the rest by Maria Edgeworth. Based on the Edgeworths' own experiences, and a work by Richard Lovell and Honora Edgeworth, privately printed in 1780. Maria began this work at least as early as 1796.
Bibliographical description and metaphors contributed by PC Fleming. See also Richard Lovell and Honora Edgeworth's Practical Education: or, The History of Harry and Lucy. (Lichfield: Printed by J. Jackson. And sold by J. Johnson, London, 1780). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
06/25/2010
