Danger Quote by H. R. Haldeman
“We are getting into semantics again. If we use words, there is a very grave danger they will be misinterpreted.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown political address, 1970s
Words can be ambiguous, leading to serious misunderstandings if relied upon too heavily.
In simple terms: Words can be misread.
Beware of over‑reliance on language.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- legal contracts
- media reporting
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure meaning is shared?
- When should you supplement words with actions?
Language alone cannot guarantee clarity.