--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unfortunately we did not attend…" description: "\"“Unfortunately we did not attend Voltaire's dictum to define our terms before we began. The result was disagreement on all issues.”\" — James Aldridge" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/james-aldridge-23659_disagreement_unfortunately-we-did-not-attend-voltaire_2721925.jpg" --- # Unfortunately we did not attend Voltaire's dictum to… ![“Unfortunately we did not attend Voltaire's dictum to define our terms before we began. The result was disagreement on all issues.” quote by James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/james-aldridge-23659_disagreement_unfortunately-we-did-not-attend-voltaire_2721925.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/james-aldridge-23659_disagreement_unfortunately-we-did-not-attend-voltaire_2721925.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/james-aldridge-23659_disagreement_unfortunately-we-did-not-attend-voltaire_2721925.jpg) > ““Unfortunately we did not attend Voltaire's dictum to define our terms before we began. The result was disagreement on all issues.”” [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Skipping definition of terms leads to miscommunication and endless disputes. **In simple terms:** Define terms before debating. Key Takeaway Clarify language early to avoid conflict. Themes communication clarity conflict Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - negotiations - academic discussions - policy making Key Concepts semantic precision dialogue Questions to Reflect On - What definitions are essential in your field? - How can you ensure shared understanding? A Different Perspective Even with clear terms, differing interpretations persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Disagreement on issues doesn't mean 'dissension.' All it means is that honest men can differ in their approach. You lay out your positions, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-e-simon/disagreement-on-issues-doesn-t-mean-dissension-all-it-means-is-that/) [William E. 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WE can't just assume so completely that Azerbaijan is in the hands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/i-d-like-you-to-see-that-we-are-interfering-too-drastically-we-can-t/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“This solid permanence in Foreign Office affairs had always antagonized MacGregor: there was something threatening and deadly and over-sure in it. The building itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/this-solid-permanence-in-foreign-office-affairs-had-always/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“Nothing that was said in here would decide MacGregor's fate. That decision was being made elsewhere. This was not the highest Court in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/nothing-that-was-said-in-here-would-decide-macgregor-s-fate-that/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [ “You are claiming that the Soviet authorities began and influenced the existence of the Democratic Party \[in Iran\]. That is the basis of all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/you-are-claiming-that-the-soviet-authorities-began-and-influenced-the/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“MacGregor shrugged. 'More than the population are opium addicts,' he said. 'Don't dismiss it like that,' she told him impatiently. 'I'm not dismissing it,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/macgregor-shrugged-more-than-the-population-are-opium-addicts-he-said/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“It's easy these days to buy a nation, but it's quite difficult to take it by force.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/it-s-easy-these-days-to-buy-a-nation-but-it-s-quite-difficult-to-take/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“The Honourable Lady confuses the American people with American policy… It is the very generosity of the American people which makes it possible for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/the-honourable-lady-confuses-the-american-people-with-american-policy/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“I have betrayed no confidence and no trust. 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Disagreement, at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/when-we-are-debating-an-issue-loyalty-means-giving-me-your-honest/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [But if you should take the bond of goodwill out of the universe no house or city could stand, nor would even the tillage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/but-if-you-should-take-the-bond-of-goodwill-out-of-the-universe-no/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The situation around Terri Schiavo was a deeply held conflict over what to do if someone isn't going to return to consciousness or competence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-emanuel/the-situation-around-terri-schiavo-was-a-deeply-held-conflict-over/) [Ezekiel Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-emanuel/) > [The tango is the man and woman in search of each other. 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