Full Idea
A metaphor, by virtue of giving coherent structure to a range of our experiences, creates similarities of a new kind.
Gist of Idea
Metaphors restructure our experience, and thus create new similarities
Source
G Lakoff / M Johnson (Metaphors We Live By [1980], 22)
A Reaction
One of the most persuasive ideas in their book. For example 'Juliet is the sun' is taught simply as a compressed simile, but she is nothing like a large fiery ball until you see her through Romeo's feelings about her.
Book Reference
Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Metaphors We Live By' [Chicago 2003], p.151