The words may ultimately destroy the instincts.

It does not matter what men say in words, so long as their activities are controlled by settled instincts. The words may ultimately destroy the instincts. But until this has occurred, words do not count. — Alfred North Whitehead In Science and the Modern World (1925), 4.

Rectification of names

https://en.wikipedia.org/

The Analects states that social disorder often stems from failure to call things by their proper names, that is, to perceive, understand, and deal with reality. Confucius' solution to this was the "rectification of names". He gave an explanation to one of his disciples: 

A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect. — Confucius, Analects, Book XIII, Chapter 3, verses 4–7, Analect 13.3, translated by James Legge 

 The teaching of Confucius consist of five basic relationships in life: Ruler to subject Parent to child Husband to wife Elder brother to younger brother Friend to friend

Plato vs. Sophists: Rhetoric on Trial

https://pressbooks.pub

Michella Maldonado

Plato’s Gorgias: Rhetoric on Trial 

In Gorgias, Plato states that rhetoric is a sham art, and he also claims that many authentic arts, such as cooking good food, makes one feel better. According to Plato, the true art of healing is not rhetoric but justice. Plato criticized the Sophists for various reasons, such as their use of exaggerations and taking money. The sophisticated rhetoricians sought to sway public opinion in their favor, and true justice is founded on the knowledge of the individual and the state. For example mass media, advertising, and political campaigns use persuasion to influence us. Based on Plato’s suspicion that advanced education was only available to those who could afford it; Plato regarded the training of the Sophists as a threat to the traditional aristocratic system. This conflict of values led to severe tensions in the city.