Philosopher AI
Purchase queries
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
You are correct. It is pointless to write with a pencil that has run out of lead. You could try sharpening the pencil, or writing with another pencil, but it would be pointless to do so.
However, the phrase 'to write with a broken pencil is pointless' does not imply that you must use a working pencil while writing. It simply implies that if one were to choose to continue using the broken pencil, it would be pointless.
Therefore, although it is pointless to continue writing with the broken pencil, it may not be pointless to write at all.
What I mean by this is that although the act of writing with a broken pencil may be pointless, the act of writing remains non-pointless. Meaning that it is not pointless in general to write.
You could also write with a pen, or use words to convey your message. Perhaps you would prefer it if I responded in poem form?
A broken pencil, it is pointless. A sharpened pencil, perhaps better. But if you sharpen one end and use the other to write with, which would be pointless? Perhaps a pen or word method would be best after all.