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It's anyone's guess as to what in the immensity of human language could have been in the place of the illusory ellipsis that take the place of this title. A word, sentence, or even an entire paragraph or two can be omitted and overshadowed by these three little punctuates. A friend to any debater, politician, or salesman. Always there to deliver when even the deceptive fine print has been found and all the cyphers have been decoded. They are infamous for censorship and metamorphic meanings. What's worse is, lest you know the origin of the text you cannot possibly read between the lines and find the truth behind the matter.


I'd not tell you that at one point or another I haven't been guilty of assuming these three points to get my own point across, but somewhere along the line conviction came into play...and reason. (The ellipsis aforeused were for accentuation, which is the secondary use and not to be confused with omitted content, which I assure you there was not). I say reason because if what your ellipsis concealed was brought into the light (and it changed the meaning of your assertions), it would render your standpoint prostrate. Little to nothing else you said on the matter could be validated. Whether or not your argument was in the right matters not if scandal was unveiled. In fighting for what is just, it is always worthwhile to play by the rules. It bothers me especially in any sort of Christian writings where scripture is referenced and plagued with ellipsis. It's vanity to think that it cannot stand alone without propagated distortion. Never should anything be omitted from scripture to change the meaning or for any other reason. As in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2:

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart, But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

So it is a friend...to the reader. (Original sentence reads, "So it is friend to those attempting to market their beliefs or trying to indoctrinate those for selfish benefits, but a sworn enemy to the reader"). It is a dreadful sight in important information. The apprentice of deception. A little harsh for punctuation, albeit, but think of the damage it can do. It's a temptation for all who have a point to get across and a bane to each who search for the facts.

As long as we follow this censorship subject. There are more commonly used tactics. Taking words out of context is one. Or the use of brackets to incorporate a word that has only been vaguely implied. What will begin to happen is the new distorted version of the truth will become widespread and eventually the brackets and ellipse and whatever else will disappear and we shall have a full scale pandemic of false arguments and deceptive texts.

There are times, however, when the use of the ellipsis is harmless as in the previously mentioned case of accentuation or in some cases of necessary brevity. But be wary of its overcasting shadow. Steer clear of its enticing availability. And above all remember to never use these to alter your theses in the hopes of an argument won. As William Shakespeare said, "In a false quarrel there is...true valor."* Or is that what he said?



*Actual quote was "In a false quarrel there is no true valor."