--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's possible that I shall make an ass of…" description: "\"It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/karl-marx-399_ass_it-s-possible-that-i-shall-make-an-ass-o_1077238.jpg" --- # It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in… ![“It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way.” quote by Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/karl-marx-399_ass_it-s-possible-that-i-shall-make-an-ass-o_1077238.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/karl-marx-399_ass_it-s-possible-that-i-shall-make-an-ass-o_1077238.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/karl-marx-399_ass_it-s-possible-that-i-shall-make-an-ass-o_1077238.jpg) > “It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way.” [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One can protect oneself from embarrassment by framing arguments so they appear correct regardless of outcome, using dialectical reasoning. **In simple terms:** Make arguments flexible to avoid looking wrong. Key Takeaway Use adaptable reasoning to stay resilient. Themes philosophy logic self‑protection Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - debates - public speaking - academic writing - conflict resolution Key Concepts dialectics argumentation Questions to Reflect On - When is adaptable reasoning ethical? - Does this approach hinder genuine truth‑seeking? A Different Perspective Such flexibility may undermine intellectual honesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ass/) [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Dialectics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialectics/) [Little Dialectic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-dialectic-2715855/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Make Ass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-ass-487090/) [Possible Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-shall-2715853/) [Proposition Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proposition-right-2715854/) [Propositions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propositions/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Worded Proposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worded-proposition-2715852/) ## Related quotes > [I believe it is possible that I shall make other creeds, and change this one, or add to it, from time to time, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/i-believe-it-is-possible-that-i-shall-make-other-creeds-and-change/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't assume because you make an ass out of u and me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-assume-because-you-make-an-ass-out-of-u-and-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you assume you make an ass out of u and me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-assume-you-make-an-ass-out-of-u-and-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Basically, I'll make an ass of myself anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-jackman/basically-i-ll-make-an-ass-of-myself-anywhere/) [Hugh Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-jackman/) > [Never ASSUME, because when you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-unger/never-assume-because-when-you-assume-you-make-an-ass-of-u-and-me/) [Felix Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-unger/) > [What do you want me too I gave everything,every part of me and you threw it all away 7 months of us together and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wrestling001/what-do-you-want-me-too-i-gave-everything-every-part-of-me-and-you/) [Wrestling001](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wrestling001/) > [Marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of me. Now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass; so that by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/marry-sir-they-praise-me-and-make-an-ass-of-me-now-my-foes-tell-me/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“You know what happens when you assume things?” I left out a sigh. “You make an ass out of you and me.” … “No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-sivec/you-know-what-happens-when-you-assume-things-i-left-out-a-sigh-you/) [Tara Sivec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-sivec/) > [“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an ass of yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-may-not-agree-with-you-but-i-will-defend-to-the-death-your-right-to/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Everyone has the right to make an ass out of themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dame-marjorie-chardin/everyone-has-the-right-to-make-an-ass-out-of-themselves/) [Dame Marjorie Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dame-marjorie-chardin/) > [If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/if-you-make-an-ass-out-of-yourself-there-will-always-be-someone-to/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-coulson/when-you-assume-you-make-an-ass-out-of-you-and-me/) [Marie Coulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-coulson/) > [Those pants make your ass look big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-pants-make-your-ass-look-big/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But life is too short not to make a fool out of yourself from time to time. And sometimes you need to make an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-rosmarin/but-life-is-too-short-not-to-make-a-fool-out-of-yourself-from-time-to/) [Abby Rosmarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-rosmarin/) > [“We had the whole 'when you assume you make an ass out of you and me' speech in school.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-maberry/we-had-the-whole-when-you-assume-you-make-an-ass-out-of-you-and-me/) [Jonathan Maberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-maberry/) ## More by Karl Marx > [“Economists have a singular method of procedure. There are only two kinds of institutions for them, artificial and natural. The institutions of feudalism are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/economists-have-a-singular-method-of-procedure-there-are-only-two/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [As the variable capital always stays in the hands of the capitalist in some form or other, it cannot be claimed in any way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-the-variable-capital-always-stays-in-the-hands-of-the-capitalist/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Money degrades all the gods of man and converts them into commodities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/money-degrades-all-the-gods-of-man-and-converts-them-into-commodities/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [As a beast of toil an ox is fixed capital. If he is eaten, he no longer functions as an instrument of labour, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-a-beast-of-toil-an-ox-is-fixed-capital-if-he-is-eaten-he-no-longer/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Communism... is the genuine resolution of the antagonism between man and nature and between man and man; it is the true resolution of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/communism-is-the-genuine-resolution-of-the-antagonism-between-man-and/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/it-is-not-the-consciousness-of-men-that-determines-their-being-but-on/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Philosophy is to the real world as masturbation is to sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/philosophy-is-to-the-real-world-as-masturbation-is-to-sex/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/go-on-get-out-last-words-are-for-fools-who-haven-t-said-enough/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“If you love without evoking love in return - if through the vital expression of yourself as a loving person you fail to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-you-love-without-evoking-love-in-return-if-through-the-vital/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Do not be deluded by the abstract word Freedom. Whose freedom? Not the freedom of one individual in relation to another, but freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/do-not-be-deluded-by-the-abstract-word-freedom-whose-freedom-not-the/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The burgeoisie, by the rapid improvement of all instruments of production, by the immensely facilitated means of communication, draws all nations into civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-burgeoisie-by-the-rapid-improvement-of-all-instruments-of/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Ideas do not exist separately from language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/ideas-do-not-exist-separately-from-language/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [So in Jewry we recognise a contemporary universal anti-social phenomenon, which has reached its present pitch through a process of, historical development in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/so-in-jewry-we-recognise-a-contemporary-universal-anti-social/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-class-struggle-necessarily-leads-to-the-dictatorship-of-the/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [If this labourer were in possession of his own means of production, and was satisfied to live as a labourer, he need not work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-this-labourer-were-in-possession-of-his-own-means-of-production/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) [Explore all 571 Karl Marx quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## More Ass quotes > [I can skate beautifully. 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Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“There was once an old but clever donkey, who never liked the sting of any bee, Nor for all the Slung mud, did he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyavrat-thareja/there-was-once-an-old-but-clever-donkey-who-never-liked-the-sting-of/) [Priyavrat Thareja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyavrat-thareja/) > [I named my son Noah for the same reason Chris Martin named his apple: we're asses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/i-named-my-son-noah-for-the-same-reason-chris-martin-named-his-apple/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [Apuleius married a rich widow, then wrote \_The Golden Ass\_.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/apuleius-married-a-rich-widow-then-wrote-the-golden-ass/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [What is this world?--A term which men have got, To signify not one in ten knows what; A term, which with no more precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/what-is-this-world-a-term-which-men-have-got-to-signify-not-one-in/) [Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/) > [I can tell you this. It is not going to be evenly constituted and when she was Speaker Pelosi, she certainly showed no interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-can-tell-you-this-it-is-not-going-to-be-evenly-constituted-and-when/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [Whoa. He had ghouls on speed dial. My lawyer kicks so much ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/whoa-he-had-ghouls-on-speed-dial-my-lawyer-kicks-so-much-ass/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [“Employment is an employee’s kissing of an employer’s ass. A salary is the employer’s pretense to be cleaning his ass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/employment-is-an-employee-s-kissing-of-an-employer-s-ass-a-salary-is/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I just had a pedicure. My feet are soft like a baby's behind. If his ass was covered in calluses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-saget/i-just-had-a-pedicure-my-feet-are-soft-like-a-baby-s-behind-if-his/) [Bob Saget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-saget/) > [Now people are really inspired to do a lot, and the fire got lit under our asses to be more politically aware and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasheer-zamata/now-people-are-really-inspired-to-do-a-lot-and-the-fire-got-lit-under/) [Sasheer Zamata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasheer-zamata/) > [Friends, haters, it's Twitter poll time. What do you think most holds back justice and equality for women? All thoughts welcome!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/friends-haters-it-s-twitter-poll-time-what-do-you-think-most-holds/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) > [Held in the palms of thousands of disgruntled people over the centuries have been ideas worth millions - if they only had taken the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hayes/held-in-the-palms-of-thousands-of-disgruntled-people-over-the/) [Robert M. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hayes/) [Browse all 1,551 Ass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ass/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. 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