A Chinese sage of the distant past was once asked by his disciplines what he would do first if he were given power to set right the affairs of the country. He answered: 'I should certainly see to it that language is used correctly'. The disciplines looked perplexed. 'Surely', they said, 'this is a trivial matter. Why should you deem it so important?' And the Master replied: 'If language is not used correctly, then what is said is not meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will be corrupted; if morals and art are corrupted, justice will go astray; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion'.

Erich Heller