--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I understand that and I have had very…" description: "\"I understand that and I have had very candid discussions with Saudi leaders in the past. I respect their culture and their heritage and their tradition..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/colin-powell-691_appropriate_i-understand-that-and-i-have-had-very-ca_1296587.jpg" --- # I understand that and I have had very candid discussions… ![“I understand that and I have had very candid discussions with Saudi leaders in the past. I respect their culture and their heritage and their traditions, but I think that they now, as they move forward, will have to start examining these traditions and these practices to see whether or not change…” quote by Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/colin-powell-691_appropriate_i-understand-that-and-i-have-had-very-ca_1296587.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/colin-powell-691_appropriate_i-understand-that-and-i-have-had-very-ca_1296587.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/colin-powell-691_appropriate_i-understand-that-and-i-have-had-very-ca_1296587.jpg) > “I understand that and I have had very candid discussions with Saudi leaders in the past. I respect their culture and their heritage and their traditions, but I think that they now, as they move forward, will have to start examining these traditions and these practices to see whether or not change is appropriate.” [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Respecting culture is vital, but traditions should be examined for relevance as societies evolve. **In simple terms:** Respect culture, but question outdated customs. Key Takeaway Balance respect with critical reflection. Themes culture tradition progress Mood thoughtful cautious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy reform - intercultural dialogue - organizational change Key Concepts social change ethics leadership Questions to Reflect On - What traditions might need re‑evaluation? - How can change be introduced respectfully? A Different Perspective Change can be resisted by those fearing loss of identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate/) [Candid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candid/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion/) [Discussions Saudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussions-saudi-4243007/) [Examining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/examining/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Moving forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-forward/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Respect Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-culture-615099/) [Saudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saudi/) [Saudi Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saudi-leaders-4243008/) [Saudis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saudis/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [Traditions Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditions-think-2999304/) ## Related quotes > [If there are still honest-smart men and women within those old and noble traditions, they should think carefully, observe and diagnose the illness. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/if-there-are-still-honest-smart-men-and-women-within-those-old-and/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [People are interested in family traditions, and I think a lot of families can benefit from some of the ways that my parents dealt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/people-are-interested-in-family-traditions-and-i-think-a-lot-of/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [With a club like Manchester United that have history and traditions, I think the manager at the club should respect that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schmeichel/with-a-club-like-manchester-united-that-have-history-and-traditions-i/) [Peter Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schmeichel/) > [Let me just be candid: My party is full of racists. And the real reason a considerable portion of my party wants President Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/let-me-just-be-candid-my-party-is-full-of-racists-and-the-real-reason/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [We are rather candid with them about the nature of their political processes and the state of development of their institutions, but they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-are-rather-candid-with-them-about-the-nature-of-their-political/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [“There are good things in every culture and respecting a culture must only mean respecting the good things in that culture! If you respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/there-are-good-things-in-every-culture-and-respecting-a-culture-must/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I grew up on Hip Hop, it's the music I love and it's the music I respect. I respect the culture...that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-grew-up-on-hip-hop-it-s-the-music-i-love-and-it-s-the-music-i/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [You should always respect what you are and your culture because if your art is going to mean anything, that is where it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romare-bearden/you-should-always-respect-what-you-are-and-your-culture-because-if/) [Romare Bearden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romare-bearden/) > [Our respect for culture and diversity and arts is very low because we only focused on building the economy. But now as we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-won-soon/our-respect-for-culture-and-diversity-and-arts-is-very-low-because-we/) [Park Won-soon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-won-soon/) > [We must respect their culture and to respect your elders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/we-must-respect-their-culture-and-to-respect-your-elders/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Manchester United is a factory workers' club. You have to respect that culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrice-evra/manchester-united-is-a-factory-workers-club-you-have-to-respect-that/) [Patrice Evra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrice-evra/) > [I don't have to participate in another culture's ceremonies in order to respect that culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/i-don-t-have-to-participate-in-another-culture-s-ceremonies-in-order/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [I don't think the American government has a lot of respect for culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-mcgruder/i-don-t-think-the-american-government-has-a-lot-of-respect-for-culture/) [Aaron McGruder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-mcgruder/) > [You have to respect the culture you are cooking in, yes, but you have to respect the palate you are cooking for, too, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranveer-brar/you-have-to-respect-the-culture-you-are-cooking-in-yes-but-you-have/) [Ranveer Brar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranveer-brar/) > [Growing older, you respect the whole culture behind Nirvana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-irwin/growing-older-you-respect-the-whole-culture-behind-nirvana/) [Ashton Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-irwin/) ## More by Colin Powell > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error, and from experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/effective-leaders-are-made-not-born-they-learn-from-trial-and-error/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Decision-making is lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/decision-making-is-lonely/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The purposes of the United States should not be doubted. 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And if we ever go back to conscription I hope that at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/with-respect-to-where-we-are-now-we-have-a-voluntary-army-and-if-we/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Politics is not bean bags. It's serious, tough stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/politics-is-not-bean-bags-it-s-serious-tough-stuff/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [There are no secrets to success: don't waste time looking for them, success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/there-are-no-secrets-to-success-don-t-waste-time-looking-for-them/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [So like any football or basketball coach, you always always believe you're going to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/so-like-any-football-or-basketball-coach-you-always-always-believe/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [We hope that more assistance will be available to the nations of the region, to include Egypt, on the three pillars that I discussed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-hope-that-more-assistance-will-be-available-to-the-nations-of-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [One of the most worrisome things that emerges from the thick intelligence file we have on Iraq's biological weapons is the existence of mobile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/one-of-the-most-worrisome-things-that-emerges-from-the-thick/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Pissing people off doesn't mean you're doing the right things, but doing the right things will almost inevitably piss people off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/pissing-people-off-doesn-t-mean-you-re-doing-the-right-things-but/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. 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I don't think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-would-not-under-any-circumstances-try-to-impose-my-personal-faith/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I have no policy, for or against: only a personal style. Which is to say, I use them when I think it's appropriate to;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/i-have-no-policy-for-or-against-only-a-personal-style-which-is-to-say/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) > [While the intelligence profession oftentimes demands secrecy, it is critically important that there be a full and open discourse on intelligence matters with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-brennan/while-the-intelligence-profession-oftentimes-demands-secrecy-it-is/) [John O. 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