+261.+ Sometimes you will find words, which we are accustomed to look
upon as adjectives, used alone in the sentence without a noun which they
modify. For example, we say, _The strong enslave the weak_. Here we have
used the adjectives _strong_ and _weak_ without any accompanying noun.
In sentences like this, these adjectives, being used as nouns, are
classed as nouns. Remember, in your analysis of a sentence, that you
name every word according to the work which it does in that sentence, so
while these adjectives are doing the work of nouns, we will consider
them as nouns.
These words are not used in the same manner in which demonstrative
adjectives are used as pronouns. There is no noun omitted which might be
inserted, but these adjectives are used rather to name a class. As, for
example; when we say, _The strong_, _The weak_, we mean all those who
are strong and all those who are weak, considered as a class. You will
find adjectives used in this way quite often in your reading, and you
will find that you use this construction very often in your ordinary
speech. As, for example:
The rich look down upon the poor.
The wise instruct the ignorant.
Many examples will occur to you. Remember these adjectives are nouns
when they do the work of nouns.