Handwriting, Spelling, Sense

The author of the essay, a linguist, argues that a certain part of the so-called wise sayings and quotes are mere platitudes. Some of them are believed to be indisputable truths but they make no sense; among false assertions are the well-known statements “There is no rule without exceptions” and “The exception proves/confirms the rule”. One of the famous quotations, namely Gandhi’s statement that “Bad handwriting is a sign of an imperfect education” is dealt with separately and extensively. The author thinks that schoolteachers’ efforts are to little avail if the student has no talent for calligraphy and spelling (as well as for other subjects). The priority of sense is contended with regard to all statements including philosophical ones. The authors draws on Gandhi’s “Autobiography” and Oscar Wilde’s “The Decay of Lying” and their Russian translations to show that foreign texts reach the Russian reader with the meaning/message of the original more or less distorted. The Russian translation of Ludwig Feuerbach’s exposition of Spinoza’s philosophical views is subjected to criticism.