This thing... That can be understood and not expressed, may make a neuter gender; and every school boy knows it

This thing... That can be understood and not expressed, may make a neuter gender; and every school boy knows it

Jeremy Taylor was a 17th-century Anglican bishop and theologian known for his eloquent and poetic writings on spirituality and morality. His works often delved into the complexities of human nature and the mysteries of faith, seeking to illuminate the divine through the beauty of language and metaphor. One of Taylor's most famous quotes is: "This thing... That can be understood and not expressed, may make a neuter gender; and every school boy knows it."

At first glance, this quote may seem enigmatic and cryptic, but upon closer examination, it reveals a profound truth about the limitations of language in capturing the ineffable and transcendent aspects of existence. Taylor is suggesting that there are certain experiences or concepts that are so profound and elusive that they defy verbal expression. These ineffable truths exist beyond the confines of language and logic, transcending the boundaries of gender and categorization.

In using the term "neuter gender," Taylor is alluding to a state of being that is beyond the binary distinctions of male and female, suggesting a unity and wholeness that transcends dualistic thinking. This neuter gender represents a state of pure being, where distinctions and divisions dissolve in the face of the divine mystery.

Taylor's assertion that "every school boy knows it" speaks to the universal nature of this truth. It is not something that can be taught or learned through intellectual understanding alone, but rather something that is known intuitively and experientially. It is a truth that resonates with the deepest part of our being, beyond the reach of words or concepts.