The Tyranny of Words!

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1949, Page 5

The Tyranny of Words!

Received Friday, S.50 p.m. LONDON, April 29. In his inaugural address as Rector of Edinburgh University, the* well- . known stage and screen actor Alastair dim said that one of the greatest tyranuies of the present age was the tyranny of words. When we paused for breath we vaguely sensed the true meaning of a few simple words like " kindness, pity, alfection, trust," but these simple words which seemed to point the way ■ to communal happiness made demaiids upon us. First, we were invited to meet their poor relations and to notice llieir unhappy opposities — painful, embarrassing, fear-haunted words. Life in accordanee with simple words did not prove so easy-going as we had thoughi. l'hey taught us more than we wishec' to be taught and we began to be nervoifs of compreliending too mueii. Moon thcse naively tyrannical words were asking for a degree of courage, sacrilice, altruism and faith that left us no time at all for pleasure, and we rushed to take refuge again with tht crowd and to think with the group niind. "The servants have somehow broken loose and have been hailed as masters and dietators on their own accouht, ' ' said Alr. Sim. "Words like 'free^om° duty, patriotism, success, failure, ' which elude all elforts at exact aualy sis and which/may mean everything or nothing, rule us for the most part v, ili emotional tyranny beyond belief. " Alr. Sim received the most tumultuous welcome ever extended to any Jiei\ rector, and after his speecli was carrieu shoulder high by the students.