keeper-alive

Updated: May 25, 2025

For otherwise language loses one of its inherent and most valuable properties, that of being the conservator of ancient experience; the keeper-alive of those thoughts and observations of former ages, which may be alien to the tendencies of the passing time. This function of language is so often overlooked or undervalued, that a few observations on it appear to be extremely required.

John Stuart Mill - A System Of Logic, Ratiocinative And Inductive