"A man curses because he doesn't have the words to say what's on his mind. "

[Robotic]

This is a quote taken from the movie Malcolm X by Spike Lee.

Do you agree or disagree with it?

[Anonymous]

Nope I don't agree. Refer to George Carlin on the matter of curse words. As for using them to fill an intellectual void, that's just silly. Intelligence is measured by your ideas, not your vocabulary. You could sound very sophisticated and have a grand vocabulary yet have hallow irrelevant ideas. A person who drops the F bomb every other sentence might have some amazing creative ideas. It depends on the environment you grew up in, and how well you can articulate your thoughts at a speed that you're comfortable with?

I use them in combination with emotion and whether it's appropriate. If I go "he cut me off, flipped my off, then damn near got us both into an accident. I damn near wanted to rear end his car off the side of a f***in bridge that jack*ss." Those would be exactly the words to say what's on my mind.

[joshuadwa]

Agreed with the environment thing. I was in the military and cursing was a part of the culture. It has stayed with me to this day.

[Cage433]

DEFINITELY disagree. Cursing can do a lot of things in the contexts of certain conversations. It puts emphasis on things that would otherwise be taken too lightly, or shows the gravity of a situation with a single word in the right tone of voice! Cursing is a very effective and precise way of getting across what you want to say in a bunch of situations; I do think that people that use curse words to fill up space, without the words having any meaning...like, "What the f do you want to do today?" Or..."S, I'm bored." Cursing like that usually indicates a person that has a poor vocabulary...ne wayz, ya man, definitely think cursing can be used effectively in the right situations =).

[PricelessPearl]

We either bless or curse with our mouths.

I believe that people curse because they think that it will help themselves feel better & that they find it "the way" to react in certain situations but it really makes it worse.

I'm sure everyone has cursed at least once (although it doesn't make it right because we even have laws on it in our society) whether thought or mouth. Although some struggle more with that than others.

There is also life and death in the power of the tongue (mainly spiritually speaking).

[jpinka]

disagree, I curse becasue I want to. if I can curse around my friends and not my mom then that would mean I do not know how to express myself around my friends but around my mother I do, lol sounds stupid to me. the quote is just a way to get pple to stop cursing by telling them they sound uneducated.

agree with the B.A.

[kdizzleforizzle91]

That's sometimes true for me, so I assume it goes for guys as well.

[Blobb]

Agree with MildlyOriginal.

But the quote rephrased simply says: "A man curses because he lacks the vocabulary to express his thoughts". That's correct in some cases, sometimes I even used to fill the vocabulary gap with cursewords and I know people that still do. Generally it really takes a lot away from what you're trying to say, it discredits it in a way. Even if what you're saying is actually really intelligent, original and creative, inserting filler cursewords everywhere is going to soften and dull your message making it less accessible to most people.

But well placed cursewords for emotional emphasis aren't there because the speaker lacks the vocabulary to express his thoughts, they are there to emphasise his point.

[KellyC]

I agree with this. Look at the so called 'rappers' nowadays. Not many of them are educated to begin with and as a result of that they be cussin their hearts out in their music and are so brave enough to call it music.

[crookthings]

Eh. When I stub my toe, "holy f*** sh*t on my goddamn c*ck" are actually the perfect words for how I feel.

[UsagiSenpai]

+1

[Koldhearted]

Yes. In arguments people curse due to a lack of intelligence and a low vocab. Very rarely is it added for emphasis.

[ashtonm]

I think more information is needed. Can't say I agree or disagree with the info given!

[Robotic]

What info do you need?

[Anonymous]

100% disagree... cuss words are words in of themselves. There is a definition behind them..

[Anonymous]

Or he doesn't know enough words to properly express himself

[Anonymous]

Alot of the time yes, but no not always. But anyway I don't curse, I think it's a weakness other people have

[G_GTom]

Who cares what Spike Lee thinks?

[Robotic]

it's a really good movie. you should watch it...

[eaeaea]

This is true for most!

[Anonymous]

women do too

[Robotic]

So you do agree with it?

[fawkinzeez]

curses are words though.. they are expressions

[beerY33]

Disagree.

[Robotic]

Why?

[beerY33]

Curse words are part of our available vocabulary too--therefore, they expand, not limit, it.

[Anonymous]

Who the f*** knows.