--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It depends upon what the meaning of the…" description: "\"It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means\" — Bill Clinton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg" --- # It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means ![“It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means” quote by Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg) > “It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means” [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights the importance of defining terms precisely to avoid misunderstandings. **In simple terms:** Words need clear definitions to prevent confusion. Key Takeaway Clarify meanings before arguing. Themes communication philosophy logic Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legal arguments - academic debates - political discussions - everyday conversations Key Concepts semantics linguistics definition Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you making about key terms? - How does precise language affect outcomes? A Different Perspective If definitions differ, agreement may be impossible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) ## Related quotes > [It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-is/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [That depends on what the meaning of 'is' is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/that-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-is-is/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Hear the meaning within the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/hear-the-meaning-within-the-word/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“ELECTION (Gk. eklog, “choice,” a “picking out”). Bible Meaning. This word in the Scriptures has three distinct applications. (1) To the divine choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrill-f-unger/election-gk-eklog-choice-a-picking-out-bible-meaning-this-word-in-the/) Merrill F. Unger > [When I need to know the meaning of a word, I look it up in a dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/when-i-need-to-know-the-meaning-of-a-word-i-look-it-up-in-a-dictionary/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If 'is' means 'is and never has been' that's one thing - if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-is-if-is-means-is-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [When you truly know the meaning of the word love, you will also know the meaning of the word pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javan/when-you-truly-know-the-meaning-of-the-word-love-you-will-also-know/) [Javan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javan/) > [Whenever we remember a series of events, we remember them different. We are constantly changing. It's a flaw, but on the other hand, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pipilotti-rist/whenever-we-remember-a-series-of-events-we-remember-them-different-we/) [Pipilotti Rist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pipilotti-rist/) > [“Another meaning of 'Word' in Lutheran theology says it is only through the Word that Christians are kept and sustained in their faith. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-schmidt/another-meaning-of-word-in-lutheran-theology-says-it-is-only-through/) Alvin Schmidt > [For a large class of cases - though not for all - in which we employ the word meaning it can be explained thus:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/for-a-large-class-of-cases-though-not-for-all-in-which-we-employ-the/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) > [“He seemed as oblivious to it as he probably was to the meaning of the word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-malone/he-seemed-as-oblivious-to-it-as-he-probably-was-to-the-meaning-of-the/) [Melody Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-malone/) > [“Defeat, I do not know the meaning of the word!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-harrison/defeat-i-do-not-know-the-meaning-of-the-word/) Jacqueline Harrison > [Even if you look in the dictionary you know the meaning of the word or phrase, but there's still the feeling of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chath-piersath/even-if-you-look-in-the-dictionary-you-know-the-meaning-of-the-word/) [Chath Piersath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chath-piersath/) > [I know how to give the meaning of a word but not how to give the intention of a word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-cavell/i-know-how-to-give-the-meaning-of-a-word-but-not-how-to-give-the/) [Stanley Cavell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-cavell/) > [In one sheet of paper, we see everything else, the cloud, the forest, the logger. I am, therefore you are. You are, therefore I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-one-sheet-of-paper-we-see-everything-else-the-cloud-the-forest-the/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) ## More by Bill Clinton > [I believe that those who promote discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/i-believe-that-those-who-promote-discrimination-on-the-basis-of/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/when-our-memories-outweigh-our-dreams-we-have-grown-old/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [If you are for smaller government, then our candidate is for you. We are for better government and smaller government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/if-you-are-for-smaller-government-then-our-candidate-is-for-you-we/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/in-a-world-darkened-by-ethnic-conflicts-that-tear-nations-apart/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“That depends on what your definition of 'is' is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/that-depends-on-what-your-definition-of-is-is/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Why would anyone make a hard decision again? What if we had immediate recall of every teacher, every preacher? What if kids could recall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/why-would-anyone-make-a-hard-decision-again-what-if-we-had-immediate/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/there-is-nothing-wrong-in-america-that-can-t-be-fixed-with-what-is/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“You are carrying the future of America in your heart and your mind. So live your dreams and remember, whatever you choose to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/you-are-carrying-the-future-of-america-in-your-heart-and-your-mind-so/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/if-you-live-long-enough-you-ll-make-mistakes-but-if-you-learn-from/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Individual character involves honoring and embracing certain core ethical values; honesty, respect, responsibility . . . Parents must teach their children from the earliest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/individual-character-involves-honoring-and-embracing-certain-core/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“In other words, our constitution was designed by people who were idealistic but not ideological. There's a big difference. You can have a philosophy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/in-other-words-our-constitution-was-designed-by-people-who-were/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [There are large numbers of people who simply don't have the values and vision necessary to be part of an inter-dependent world. They think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/there-are-large-numbers-of-people-who-simply-don-t-have-the-values/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [She could do any job. Let me just say this, I've never known anybody in politics that was more able than her -- including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/she-could-do-any-job-let-me-just-say-this-i-ve-never-known-anybody-in/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [No government really rooted in limited, parliamentary democracy should have the power to make its citizens fight and kill and die in a war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/no-government-really-rooted-in-limited-parliamentary-democracy-should/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [Despite the government's attempts to manipulate the vote, it does seem clear that the people have voted for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/despite-the-government-s-attempts-to-manipulate-the-vote-it-does-seem/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) [Explore all 59 Bill Clinton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) ## More Depends quotes > [It all depends on you. You can go on sleeping forever, you can wake up right this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/it-all-depends-on-you-you-can-go-on-sleeping-forever-you-can-wake-up/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Surely to root politics out of art is a highly necessary undertaking: for the freedom of art, like that of science, depends entirely upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyndham-lewis/surely-to-root-politics-out-of-art-is-a-highly-necessary-undertaking/) [Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyndham-lewis/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [India may be overtaking China as the world's most polluted country. Even now, which country is worse depends on the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-inskeep/india-may-be-overtaking-china-as-the-world-s-most-polluted-country/) [Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-inskeep/) > [What my day is like depends on where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniela-pestova/what-my-day-is-like-depends-on-where-i-am/) [Daniela Pestova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniela-pestova/) > [Our security depends on having good relationships with our allies. Donald Trump mainly shows contempt for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/our-security-depends-on-having-good-relationships-with-our-allies/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Politics...You see, it depends on what kind of politics. What we did during my father's generation was a duty. And it was beautiful because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/politics-you-see-it-depends-on-what-kind-of-politics-what-we-did/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-proportion-as-our-inward-life-fails-we-go-more-constantly-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Nothing will happen automatically. Change depends on what you and I do every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/nothing-will-happen-automatically-change-depends-on-what-you-and-i-do/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Every crucial experience can be regarded either as a setback, or the start of a wonderful new adventure, it depends on your perspective!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roberts-rinehart/every-crucial-experience-can-be-regarded-either-as-a-setback-or-the/) [Mary Roberts Rinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roberts-rinehart/) > [Unless we are prepared to search our souls to discover what to say, and then how to say it effectively, we cannot expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everett-case/unless-we-are-prepared-to-search-our-souls-to-discover-what-to-say/) Everett Case > [What you can do and what it became the Depends are Only your Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/what-you-can-do-and-what-it-became-the-depends-are-only-your-attitude/) Mak\_786 > [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/) [Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/) Browse all 3,689 Depends quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Clinton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-means/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Depends" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-means/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/bill-clinton-11499_depends_it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the_352931.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' means” — Bill Clinton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bill Clinton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It depends upon what the meaning...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-means/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/it-depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-is-means/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```