--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not pretend to know precisely what…" description: "\"I do not pretend to know precisely what is on foot there; but I think it pretty evident that there is a very free communication between that country an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/benjamin-f-wade-30908_am_i-do-not-pretend-to-know-precisely-what_2166463.png" --- # I do not pretend to know precisely what is on foot there… ![“I do not pretend to know precisely what is on foot there; but I think it pretty evident that there is a very free communication between that country and this body, and unless I am greatly mistaken, I see the dwarfish medium by which that communication is kept up.” quote by Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/benjamin-f-wade-30908_am_i-do-not-pretend-to-know-precisely-what_2166463.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/benjamin-f-wade-30908_am_i-do-not-pretend-to-know-precisely-what_2166463.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc1/benjamin-f-wade-30908_am_i-do-not-pretend-to-know-precisely-what_2166463.png) > “I do not pretend to know precisely what is on foot there; but I think it pretty evident that there is a very free communication between that country and this body, and unless I am greatly mistaken, I see the dwarfish medium by which that communication is kept up.” [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Communication between nations and bodies can be obscure and indirect, likened to a small, fragile medium. **In simple terms:** International communication is often indirect. Key Takeaway Seek clearer channels of dialogue. Themes politics communication history Mood analytical historical Type observational political When to use this quote - foreign policy - media analysis - public discourse Key Concepts diplomacy media theory Questions to Reflect On - How can we improve transparency in diplomatic talks? - What modern tools replace the “dwarfish medium”? A Different Perspective Indirect communication may lead to misunderstandings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Between](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/between/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communication Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication-country-4620474/) [Communication Kept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication-kept-4620473/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Evident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evident/) [Foot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foot/) [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Free Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-communication-4285999/) [Greatly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatly/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [I see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-see/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Kept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kept/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Medium](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medium/) [Medium Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medium-communication-1911430/) [Mistaken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistaken/) [Precisely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precisely/) [Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretend/) [Pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty/) [Pretty Evident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty-evident-740521/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Unless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unless/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Very](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) ## Related quotes > [A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-man-has-a-property-in-his-opinions-and-the-free-communication-of/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It was pretty evident, I think, the direction the country was going, and that's why I think Donald Trump offered such a clear alternative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/it-was-pretty-evident-i-think-the-direction-the-country-was-going-and/) [Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/) > [When clothes wear you, it's pretty evident. You've got to wear the clothes, not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cincotti/when-clothes-wear-you-it-s-pretty-evident-you-ve-got-to-wear-the/) [Peter Cincotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cincotti/) > [“although culture is a creation of speech, it is recreated anew by every medium of communication—from painting to hieroglyphs to the alphabet to television.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-postman/although-culture-is-a-creation-of-speech-it-is-recreated-anew-by/) [Neil Postman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-postman/) > [“Thus it is that the Internet, once heralded as an exciting new medium of communication, is now little more than a vast mail-order catalogue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/thus-it-is-that-the-internet-once-heralded-as-an-exciting-new-medium/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [I think the written word is probably the best medium of communication because you have time to reflect, you have time to choose your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-think-the-written-word-is-probably-the-best-medium-of-communication/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Language is material to shape and mold, not only a transparent or invisible medium for communication, business contracts, or telling stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-goldsmith/language-is-material-to-shape-and-mold-not-only-a-transparent-or/) [Kenneth Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-goldsmith/) > [I think that cinema is medium of communication. It's as valid as novels or fine art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-loach/i-think-that-cinema-is-medium-of-communication-it-s-as-valid-as/) [Ken Loach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-loach/) > [English is the medium of communication for people all over India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aparna-sen/english-is-the-medium-of-communication-for-people-all-over-india/) [Aparna Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aparna-sen/) > [Business cycles lengthened greatly during the 20th century, as central banks learned to manage national economies by raising and lowering interest rates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/business-cycles-lengthened-greatly-during-the-20th-century-as-central/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [If we could honestly promise young couples that we knew how to give them offspring with superior character, why should we assume they would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-watson/if-we-could-honestly-promise-young-couples-that-we-knew-how-to-give/) [James D. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-watson/) > [The Constitution has not greatly bothered any wartime President.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-biddle/the-constitution-has-not-greatly-bothered-any-wartime-president/) [Francis Biddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-biddle/) > [The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-reports-of-my-death-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I respect Dev saab greatly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-respect-dev-saab-greatly/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [An important finding is that by determining the genome sequences of an entire family, one can identify many DNA sequencing errors and thus greatly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/an-important-finding-is-that-by-determining-the-genome-sequences-of/) [Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/) ## More by Benjamin F. Wade > [I am amazed at the facility with which some men follow in the wake of slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-am-amazed-at-the-facility-with-which-some-men-follow-in-the-wake-of/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [I am not unconscious of the persuasive power exerted by these considerations to drag men along in the current; but I am not at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-am-not-unconscious-of-the-persuasive-power-exerted-by-these/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [The humiliation of the North is complete and overwhelming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/the-humiliation-of-the-north-is-complete-and-overwhelming/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [If a man carries his horse out of a slave State into a free one, be does not lose his property interest in him;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/if-a-man-carries-his-horse-out-of-a-slave-state-into-a-free-one-be/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [I may fall here in the Senate chamber, but I will. never make any compromise with any such men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-may-fall-here-in-the-senate-chamber-but-i-will-never-make-any/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [But, sir, I shall take the path of duty and shall not swerve from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/but-sir-i-shall-take-the-path-of-duty-and-shall-not-swerve-from-it/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [I know how easy it is for some minds to glide along with the current of popular opinion, where influence, respectability, and all those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-know-how-easy-it-is-for-some-minds-to-glide-along-with-the-current/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [Sir, I am no sycophant or worshipper of power anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/sir-i-am-no-sycophant-or-worshipper-of-power-anywhere/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [We certainly cannot have any further political connection with the Whigs of the South; they have rendered such connection impossible. An impassable gulf separates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/we-certainly-cannot-have-any-further-political-connection-with-the/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [Well, what are you going to do about it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/well-what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [I am not unaware how unpopular on this floor are the sentiments I am about to advocate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-am-not-unaware-how-unpopular-on-this-floor-are-the-sentiments-i-am/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [Sometimes it leads me even to hesitate whether I am strictly correct in my idea that all men are born to equal rights, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/sometimes-it-leads-me-even-to-hesitate-whether-i-am-strictly-correct/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [To morrow, I believe, is to be an eclipse of the sun, and I think it perfectly meet and proper that the sun in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/to-morrow-i-believe-is-to-be-an-eclipse-of-the-sun-and-i-think-it/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [I have always believed, heretofore, in the doctrines of the Declaration of Independence, that all men are born free and equal; but of late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/i-have-always-believed-heretofore-in-the-doctrines-of-the-declaration/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) > [You can never conquer us, we will die first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-f-wade/you-can-never-conquer-us-we-will-die-first/) [Benjamin F. Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) [Explore all 17 Benjamin F. Wade quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-f-wade/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) [Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I do not pretend to know precisely what is on foot there; but I think it pretty evident that there is a very free communication between that country and this body, and unless I am greatly mistaken, I see the dwarfish medium by which that communication is kept up.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin F. 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