--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To define a thing is to see it clearly…" description: "\"“To define a thing is to see it clearly, to see it as distinct from other things and at the same time to see its exact relationship with other things: ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ce/michael-oakeshott-23288_quote_to-define-a-thing-is-to-see-it-clearly-t_942367.jpg" --- # To define a thing is to see it clearly, to see it as… ![“To define a thing is to see it clearly, to see it as distinct from other things and at the same time to see its exact relationship with other things: for a thing is its relations and activities.” quote by Michael Oakeshott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ce/michael-oakeshott-23288_quote_to-define-a-thing-is-to-see-it-clearly-t_942367.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ce/michael-oakeshott-23288_quote_to-define-a-thing-is-to-see-it-clearly-t_942367.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ce/michael-oakeshott-23288_quote_to-define-a-thing-is-to-see-it-clearly-t_942367.jpg) > ““To define a thing is to see it clearly, to see it as distinct from other things and at the same time to see its exact relationship with other things: for a thing is its relations and activities.”” [Michael Oakeshott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-oakeshott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defining something involves seeing its distinctness and its connections to other things; identity is relational. **In simple terms:** Definition is about distinctness and relations. Key Takeaway Consider context when defining. Themes philosophy definition relationships Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - academic writing - teaching - problem solving Key Concepts relational ontology conceptual analysis Questions to Reflect On - What relationships shape this concept? - How does context change meaning? A Different Perspective Definitions can be overly rigid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Define Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-thing-1620067/) [Distinct Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinct-things-1200318/) [Thing Clearly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-clearly-1239588/) [Thing Relations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-relations-1620066/) [Things Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-thing-1214467/) ## Related quotes > [To define a thing is to substitute the definition for the thing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-braque/to-define-a-thing-is-to-substitute-the-definition-for-the-thing-itself/) [Georges Braque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-braque/) > [Not to identify oneself with something, or to associate things with the 'me,' and to see that the idea that there is a 'me,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/not-to-identify-oneself-with-something-or-to-associate-things-with/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I have very distinct things that I like. 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Because all this: your time, this world, your life in it and all of those opportunities, they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jellis-vaes/understand-one-thing-very-clearly-because-all-this-your-time-this/) [Jellis Vaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jellis-vaes/) > [To see a thing clearly in the mind makes it begin to take form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/to-see-a-thing-clearly-in-the-mind-makes-it-begin-to-take-form/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [“She is the thing that no one can ever see clearly. The thing you can almost grasp, the thing you can very nearly make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-zurcher/she-is-the-thing-that-no-one-can-ever-see-clearly-the-thing-you-can/) [Andrew Zurcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-zurcher/) > [But if there is one thing clearly and plainly laid down about election, it is this: that elect men and women may be known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/but-if-there-is-one-thing-clearly-and-plainly-laid-down-about/) [J. C. 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If its not one thing its another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-things-never-last-for-me-if-its-not-one-thing-its-another/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I'm a big collector of things." "Am I a thing?" "No, you're my heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-frederick/i-m-a-big-collector-of-things-am-i-a-thing-no-you-re-my-heart/) [Jen Frederick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-frederick/) > [Multitasking? I can't even do two things at once. I can't even do one thing at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helena-bonham-carter/multitasking-i-can-t-even-do-two-things-at-once-i-can-t-even-do-one/) [Helena Bonham Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helena-bonham-carter/) ## More by Michael Oakeshott > [“There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. 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I have very distinct opinions. 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