Only by the aid of language does reason bring about its most important achievements, namely the harmonious and consistent action of several individuals, the planned cooperation of many thousands, civilization, the State; and then, science, the storing up of previous experience, the summarizing into one concept of what is common, the communication of truth, the spreading of error, thoughts and poems, dogmas and superstitions. The animal learns to know death only when he dies, but man consciously draws every hour nearer his death; and at times this makes life a precarious business, even to the man who has not already recognized this character of constant annihilation in the whole of life itself. Arthur Schopenhauer
About This Quote

All of the great things in life require cooperation. But in order for cooperation to work, you must be able to communicate with others. For example, when soldiers are in combat in the middle of a war they need to be able to communicate with one another in order to achieve their goals. Without language, the soldiers would just stand still and shoot at each other until they were all dead. To achieve these great things, you must be able to communicate with people.

Source: The World As Will And Representation, Vol 1

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