Profundity

1. Wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound
2. Intellectual depth; penetrating knowledge; keen insight, etc
3. The intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas
4. the quality of being physically deep

Definition from WordWeb

Okay, so what is my point?????

The other night, while watching a movie, I came across this:

John Hurt said : whereof one cannot speak, thereof be silent...

U-hum. Sounds great, really profound, resonates with deep thinkers, but really? Isn't he just saying: if you have nothing to add, shut up?

Is profundity, therefore, great language that masks the mundane?

I love profound! Make no mistake! We should, however, be more cautious how we label it. First read between the lines, translate into everyday language if need be, and feel what is actually being said. If it does resonate...we probably have a genuine case of profundity on our hands. If not, the speaker or writer simply desires to show off.

Nobody likes a show off (apologies to John Hurt!)...