“No word matters. But man forgets reality and remembers words.”
Source: Lord of Light
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Roger Zelazny 112
American speculative fiction writer 1937–1995Related quotes

“Men substitute words for reality and then argue about the words.”
As quoted in "Edwin Armstrong : Pioneer of the Airwaves" by Yannis Tsividis http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/Magazine/Spring2002/Armstrong.html
Unsourced variant: Men like to substitute words for reality and then argue about the words.

“Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words.”
Variant: "Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to."
Context: A trap is for fish: when you've got the fish, you can forget the trap. A snare is for rabbits: when you've got the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find someone who's forgotten words so I can have a word with him?...

“I will remember this word," he said. "Shenanigans. It is a good word.”
Source: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), First presidential debate (September 26, 2016)

“Forget that foreign word "ideals." We have that good old native word: "lies."”
Relling, Act V
The Wild Duck (1884)

“Reality' is a word with many meanings.”
Source: The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate