---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Make sure of two things. Be careful…"
description: "\"Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a gaffe is when you tell the truth. So, be c..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg"
---

#  Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are…

![“Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a gaffe is when you tell the truth. So, be careful.” quote by Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg)

> “Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a gaffe is when you tell the truth. So, be careful.”

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

In politics, microphones are always on and truth can be seen as a gaffe; caution is essential.

**In simple terms:** Political speech requires caution; truth can be risky.

Key Takeaway

Speak carefully, anticipate reactions.

Themes

politics communication truth

Mood

cautious strategic

Type

political advice

When to use this quote

- campaign speeches
- press briefings
- debates
- interviews
- policy announcements

Key Concepts

media dynamics public perception strategic messaging

Questions to Reflect On

- When should truth be spoken despite risk?
- How to balance transparency with political strategy?

A Different Perspective

Caution may suppress necessary honesty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Telling the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Washington dc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washington-dc/)

## Related quotes

> [As you probably know, some American politicians and American journalists refer to Washington, DC as the "capital of the free world." But it seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/as-you-probably-know-some-american-politicians-and-american/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [ “You want a friend in this city? \[Washington, DC.\] Get a dog!” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/you-want-a-friend-in-this-city-washington-dc-get-a-dog/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In New York, people are unhappy on purpose, because unhappiness makes them seem more complex; in Washington DC it just sort of works out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/in-new-york-people-are-unhappy-on-purpose-because-unhappiness-makes/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [Corruption is a fact of life in America as in Afganistan, but as American citizens, if we are white, we tend to experience it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chayes/corruption-is-a-fact-of-life-in-america-as-in-afganistan-but-as/)

[Sarah Chayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chayes/)

> [The American dream is under attack because our government has been hijacked by the Liberals in Washington DC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-cain/the-american-dream-is-under-attack-because-our-government-has-been/)

[Herman Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-cain/)

> [“It was an old tradition: landlords barring children from their properties. In the competitive postwar housing market of the late 1940s, landlords regularly turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-desmond/it-was-an-old-tradition-landlords-barring-children-from-their/)

[Matthew Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-desmond/)

> [“Given time, Washington DC. has a way of making a Politician out of an Honest Man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rinna/given-time-washington-dc-has-a-way-of-making-a-politician-out-of-an/)

Ron Rinna

> [In some cities such as Washington, DC, that 75 percent of young black men can expect to serve time in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/in-some-cities-such-as-washington-dc-that-75-percent-of-young-black/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [When somebody comes along and says, "I think Washington, DC, sucks," that's not wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/when-somebody-comes-along-and-says-i-think-washington-dc-sucks-that-s/)

[Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/)

> [I have a lot of friends who come from alcoholic families, and they aren't alcoholics, because someone explained it to them. When I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/i-have-a-lot-of-friends-who-come-from-alcoholic-families-and-they/)

[Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/)

> [Civil disobedience can help to focus attention on a particular injustice. It was used historically to highlight wrongs in society - turning ancient redwood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brune/civil-disobedience-can-help-to-focus-attention-on-a-particular/)

[Michael Brune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-brune/)

> [Killing Lincoln is a must-read historical thriller. Bill O'Reilly recounts the dramatic events of the spring of 1865 with such exhilarating immediacy that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/killing-lincoln-is-a-must-read-historical-thriller-bill-o-reilly/)

[Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/)

> [ \[Washington, DC\] feels like you're watching performance art. A lot of the time. I don't believe them, I don't believe what they say, I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/washington-dc-feels-like-you-re-watching-performance-art-a-lot-of-the/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [It is cold down in Washington, DC. They had to use an ice scraper on John Boehner's face to get the tears off, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/it-is-cold-down-in-washington-dc-they-had-to-use-an-ice-scraper-on/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [I was raised in Washington, DC, very violent place. I grew up with violence. My introduction to music was violent. The years I've spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-was-raised-in-washington-dc-very-violent-place-i-grew-up-with/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

## More by Joe Biden

> [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [I always kid the president in different circumstances. Mr. President, a country's never going to be more optimistic than the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-always-kid-the-president-in-different-circumstances-mr-president-a/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [Anybody who pretends that how you read the 10th and 11th Amendment doesn't have a fundamental impact on the things we care about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/anybody-who-pretends-that-how-you-read-the-10th-and-11th-amendment/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“He wanted me to understand two big things: First, that nobody, no group, is above others. Public servants are obliged to level with everybody,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/he-wanted-me-to-understand-two-big-things-first-that-nobody-no-group/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [Don't hold against me that I don't own - that I don't own a single stock or bond. Don't hold it - I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/don-t-hold-against-me-that-i-don-t-own-that-i-don-t-own-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“True bravery is when there is very little chance of winning, but you keep fighting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/true-bravery-is-when-there-is-very-little-chance-of-winning-but-you/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [No public funding for abortion; it imposes a view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/no-public-funding-for-abortion-it-imposes-a-view/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [I've known and continue to know every one of these major world leaders by their first names, and I have access to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-ve-known-and-continue-to-know-every-one-of-these-major-world/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [We are working to deploy a powerful new radar network with American early warning systems,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/we-are-working-to-deploy-a-powerful-new-radar-network-with-american/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [I'm joking, I'm joking. Best decision I ever made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-m-joking-i-m-joking-best-decision-i-ever-made/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [ Somalis have made my city of Wilmington, Delaware, \[their home\] on a smaller scale. There is a large, very identifiable Somali community, i might… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/somalis-have-made-my-city-of-wilmington-delaware-their-home-on-a/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“And don’t any of you, by the way, any of you guys vote Republican. I’m not supposed to say, this isn’t political. …don’t come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/and-don-t-any-of-you-by-the-way-any-of-you-guys-vote-republican-i-m/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [We also wanted to change the story - change the approach to the 21st century on energy, on education, on transportation, on infrastructure, generally,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/we-also-wanted-to-change-the-story-change-the-approach-to-the-21st/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [The spirit of Thanksgiving rests in our recognizing the blessings in our lives, and as we all take stock, I hope you will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/the-spirit-of-thanksgiving-rests-in-our-recognizing-the-blessings-in/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [The president has a big stick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/the-president-has-a-big-stick/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

[Explore all 546 Joe Biden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

## More Be careful quotes

> [Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the worst Spanish student in the history of the language.” I laughed. “No problemo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/be-careful-i-wouldn-t-want-anything-to-happen-to-the-worst-spanish/)

[Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/)

> [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/)

[Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/)

> [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/)

[Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/)

> [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/)

[Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/)

> [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/)

[Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/)

> [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/)

[L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/)

> [Well sometimes, culture can stifle talent, so you have to be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/well-sometimes-culture-can-stifle-talent-so-you-have-to-be-careful/)

[Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/)

> [And so we have to be careful with looking at additional stimulus that we don't provoke an increase in the bond rate and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-raines/and-so-we-have-to-be-careful-with-looking-at-additional-stimulus-that/)

[Franklin Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-raines/)

> [Be careful who you might trust the Devil was once an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-careful-who-you-might-trust-the-devil-was-once-an-angel-too/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/one-must-always-be-careful-of-books-said-tessa-and-what-is-inside/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Be careful, once water is spilled, it can never return to its container](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciel-phantomhive/be-careful-once-water-is-spilled-it-can-never-return-to-its-container/)

[Ciel Phantomhive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciel-phantomhive/)

> [We used to tell our receivers, 'If you want to run an inside breaking route, and you want to fight for yardage after the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gruden/we-used-to-tell-our-receivers-if-you-want-to-run-an-inside-breaking/)

[Jon Gruden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gruden/)

> [A bad investment is going for quantity over quality. If you're trying to be careful with your wallet, especially with the economy right now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-siriano/a-bad-investment-is-going-for-quantity-over-quality-if-you-re-trying/)

[Christian Siriano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-siriano/)

Browse all 989 Be careful quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a gaffe is when you tell the truth. So, be careful.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joe Biden"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-microphones-are-always-hot-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Be careful"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-microphones-are-always-hot-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/joe-biden-454_be-careful_make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-micro_605546.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Make sure of two things. Be careful - microphones are always hot, and understand that in Washington, D.C., a…” — Joe Biden",
                "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": "Joe Biden",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Make sure of two things. Be...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-microphones-are-always-hot-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/make-sure-of-two-things-be-careful-microphones-are-always-hot-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
