Archive for the ‘Ranting’ Category

Of mutilating the English (language)

Monday, January 7th, 2008

So any guesses why I was up til 3 last night? That’s right, V. I was reading the Leviathan and answering questions. Oh, not so bad, you say? Look at what Hobbes does to the English language.

“And because such arguments must either be drawn from the express words, “I authorise all his actions,” or from the intention of him that submitteth himself to his power (which intention is to be understood by the end for which he so submitteth), the obligation and liberty of the subject is to be derived either from those words, or others equivalent, or else from the end of the institution of sovereignty; namely, the peace of the subjects within themselves, and their defence against a common enemy.”

That’s all one sentence. And look how he abuses commas.

“Nay, the same man, in diverse times, differs from himself; and one time praiseth, that is, calleth good, what another time he dispraiseth, and calleth evil: from whence arise disputes, controversies, and at last war.”

He overworks them. How about some new sentences every now and then, Tom?!

Okay, that’s my rant about Hobbes. Now I have to read John Locke. We’ll see about any rants about him tomorrow.

I really should have done Hobbes earlier in the break, but that’s what all procrastinators say. Besides, I had a good excuse: Gulliver’s Travels, also due today. Other than that, my break was boring. I drove with the parking brake on. That was interesting. Oh, and I had a parfait.