---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They seem to be in total, if not complete…"
description: "\"They seem to be in total, if not complete control\" — Jon Champion"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png"
---

#  They seem to be in total, if not complete control

![“They seem to be in total, if not complete control” quote by Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png)

> “They seem to be in total, if not complete control”

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

## About This Quote

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

It suggests that something appears complete yet lacks true mastery or full authority.

**In simple terms:** Looks complete but not fully controlled.

Key Takeaway

Recognize gaps between appearance and real control.

Themes

appearance control illusion

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

- project management
- leadership
- decision making
- creative work

Key Concepts

perception authority authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you verify true control beyond surface?
- What signs reveal incomplete mastery?

A Different Perspective

Complete appearance can mask hidden limitations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/)

## Related quotes

> [The drill instructor must have total and complete control. Mindless obedience is what he's after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-lee-ermey/the-drill-instructor-must-have-total-and-complete-control-mindless/)

[R. Lee Ermey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-lee-ermey/)

> [In my work I have complete control, but about my life, I don't want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/in-my-work-i-have-complete-control-but-about-my-life-i-don-t-want-to/)

[Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/)

> [Within one hour of touching the brush to canvas for the first time, my students have a total, complete painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/within-one-hour-of-touching-the-brush-to-canvas-for-the-first-time-my/)

[Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/)

> [Happiness is total and complete satisfaction with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/happiness-is-total-and-complete-satisfaction-with-yourself/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [Stand-up is the only thing I have complete control over. There's something to be said for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/stand-up-is-the-only-thing-i-have-complete-control-over-there-s/)

[Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/)

> [We've always been do-it-yourself. In that we've had complete control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keren-woodward/we-ve-always-been-do-it-yourself-in-that-we-ve-had-complete-control/)

[Keren Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keren-woodward/)

> [To me art is a form of manifest revolt, total and complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-tinguely/to-me-art-is-a-form-of-manifest-revolt-total-and-complete/)

[Jean Tinguely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-tinguely/)

> [Victor Hernandez, like an orchestral conductor directing his troops...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/victor-hernandez-like-an-orchestral-conductor-directing-his-troops/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [A full-blooded encounter for a number of reasons, many of them illegitimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/a-full-blooded-encounter-for-a-number-of-reasons-many-of-them/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [I love music because you can create a world through your records. I have total control over what I do and what I wear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-badler/i-love-music-because-you-can-create-a-world-through-your-records-i/)

[Jane Badler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-badler/)

> [I have total control over everything. I'm doing it all for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myleene-klass/i-have-total-control-over-everything-i-m-doing-it-all-for-me/)

Myleene Klass

> [It is so cool having complete control over something because, with acting, it's words written by other people that you perform; you do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/it-is-so-cool-having-complete-control-over-something-because-with/)

[Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/)

> [I always like the studio best, once I got the hang of it and the control. I like it because it's complete control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/i-always-like-the-studio-best-once-i-got-the-hang-of-it-and-the/)

[John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/)

> [Nothing can take your joy; you have to give it away. You're in complete control of your happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/nothing-can-take-your-joy-you-have-to-give-it-away-you-re-in-complete/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [“…has complete control of his heart. He will never stop loving her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandra-torre/has-complete-control-of-his-heart-he-will-never-stop-loving-her/)

[Alessandra Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandra-torre/)

## More by Jon Champion

> [A full-blooded encounter for a number of reasons, many of them illegitimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/a-full-blooded-encounter-for-a-number-of-reasons-many-of-them/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [Klaus Toppmoller: hair like David Gower and dress sense like Austin Powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/klaus-toppmoller-hair-like-david-gower-and-dress-sense-like-austin/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [It's amazing what the sight of four gentlemen with red crosses on their backs can to injured players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/it-s-amazing-what-the-sight-of-four-gentlemen-with-red-crosses-on/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [Victor Hernandez, like an orchestral conductor directing his troops...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/victor-hernandez-like-an-orchestral-conductor-directing-his-troops/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

[Explore all 5 Jon Champion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

## More Commentators quotes

> [The Dutch look like a huge jar of marmalade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-davies/the-dutch-look-like-a-huge-jar-of-marmalade/)

[Barry Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-davies/)

> [Real writers-that is, capital W Writers-rarely make much money. Their biggest reward is the occasional reader's response… Commentators-in-print voicing big fat opinions-you might call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/real-writers-that-is-capital-w-writers-rarely-make-much-money-their/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [For me, I try to look at a person's swagger and a little background on them if I already haven't liked them as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bivins/for-me-i-try-to-look-at-a-person-s-swagger-and-a-little-background-on/)

[Michael Bivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bivins/)

> [...a tale of too many cooks in the defence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-brown/a-tale-of-too-many-cooks-in-the-defence/)

[Ian Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-brown/)

> [Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/change-from-below-the-formulation-of-demands-from-the-populace-to-end/)

[Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/)

> [ \[Wave of bestselling conservative commentators\] it's kind of like reading The Power Of Positive Thinking, or any other advice or how-to book. All they… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/wave-of-bestselling-conservative-commentators-it-s-kind-of-like/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [Liverpool are currently halfway through an unbeaten twelve-match run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-parry/liverpool-are-currently-halfway-through-an-unbeaten-twelve-match-run/)

[Alan Parry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-parry/)

> [Welcome to Bologna on Capital Gold for England versus San Marino with Tennent's Pilsner, brewed with Czechoslovakian yeast for that extra Pilsner taste and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pearce/welcome-to-bologna-on-capital-gold-for-england-versus-san-marino-with/)

Jonathan Pearce

> [I'm not a journalist. I'm a pundit. I'm a commentator, I'm somebody with an opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-rove/i-m-not-a-journalist-i-m-a-pundit-i-m-a-commentator-i-m-somebody-with/)

[Karl Rove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-rove/)

> [A full-blooded encounter for a number of reasons, many of them illegitimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/a-full-blooded-encounter-for-a-number-of-reasons-many-of-them/)

[Jon Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/)

> [I find it so easy to read qualified commentators who are 180 degrees opposed to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-find-it-so-easy-to-read-qualified-commentators-who-are-180-degrees/)

[Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/)

> [Neil Sullivan has stopped absolutely everything have thrown at him...Wimbledon 1, Manchester United 1.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ingham/neil-sullivan-has-stopped-absolutely-everything-have-thrown-at-him/)

[Mike Ingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ingham/)

> [The scoreline didn't really reflect the outcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gubba/the-scoreline-didn-t-really-reflect-the-outcome/)

[Tony Gubba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gubba/)

> [In all my years as a news commentator I was never once, able to tell the truth, about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/in-all-my-years-as-a-news-commentator-i-was-never-once-able-to-tell/)

[Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/)

> [Lampard, as usual, arrived in the nick of time, but it wasn't quite soon enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-parry/lampard-as-usual-arrived-in-the-nick-of-time-but-it-wasn-t-quite-soon/)

[Alan Parry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-parry/)

Browse all 250 Commentators quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "They seem to be in total, if not complete control",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jon Champion"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete-control/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Commentators"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete-control/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90e/jon-champion-65028_commentators_they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete_1965914.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“They seem to be in total, if not complete control” — Jon Champion",
                "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": "Jon Champion",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-champion/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "They seem to be in total,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete-control/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-champion/they-seem-to-be-in-total-if-not-complete-control/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
