--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first step is to penetrate the clouds…" description: "\"The first step is to penetrate the clouds of deceit and distortion and learn the truth about the world, then to organize and act to change it. That's n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/noam-chomsky-42_clouds_the-first-step-is-to-penetrate-the-cloud_2212892.jpg" --- # The first step is to penetrate the clouds of deceit and… ![“The first step is to penetrate the clouds of deceit and distortion and learn the truth about the world, then to organize and act to change it. That's never been impossible and never been easy.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/noam-chomsky-42_clouds_the-first-step-is-to-penetrate-the-cloud_2212892.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/noam-chomsky-42_clouds_the-first-step-is-to-penetrate-the-cloud_2212892.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/noam-chomsky-42_clouds_the-first-step-is-to-penetrate-the-cloud_2212892.jpg) > “The first step is to penetrate the clouds of deceit and distortion and learn the truth about the world, then to organize and act to change it. That's never been impossible and never been easy.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding truth requires seeing through deception, then organizing collective action to transform society, a hard but possible task. **In simple terms:** See truth, then act to change. Key Takeaway Seek truth, organize, act. Themes truth activism change Mood critical motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - journalism - education - grassroots organizing - policy reform Key Concepts media literacy social movements Questions to Reflect On - What deceptions shape your view? - How can collective action overcome entrenched power? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched systems faces strong opposition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceit/) [Distortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distortion/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The deceit and distortion surrounding the American invasion of Vietnam is by now so familiar that it has lost its power to shock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-deceit-and-distortion-surrounding-the-american-invasion-of/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“A false-statement requires deceit and distortion for someone to buy it, but a truthful-statement sells itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bailey/a-false-statement-requires-deceit-and-distortion-for-someone-to-buy/) William Bailey > [For a privileged minority, Western democracy provides the leisure, the facilities, and the training to seek the truth lying hidden behind the veil of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/for-a-privileged-minority-western-democracy-provides-the-leisure-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“You are all alike, you people. You never learn the truth--that God knows nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/you-are-all-alike-you-people-you-never-learn-the-truth-that-god-knows/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/do-the-things-you-know-and-you-shall-learn-the-truth-you-need-to-know/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [“he would learn—truth is brief (afterward, it is all commentary). So”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/he-would-learn-truth-is-brief-afterward-it-is-all-commentary-so/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [“Early to learn, and see truth through the lies, makes a person . . . a nation . . . a world . . . healthy, wealthy and wise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-n-smith/early-to-learn-and-see-truth-through-the-lies-makes-a-person-a-nation/) L.N. Smith > [If a person is to get the meaning of life he must learn to like the facts about himself -- ugly as they may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/if-a-person-is-to-get-the-meaning-of-life-he-must-learn-to-like-the/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [“The scriptures remind us, ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ (John 8:32.) Our job is to search…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-cannon/the-scriptures-remind-us-and-ye-shall-know-the-truth-and-the-truth/) [Elaine Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-cannon/) > [Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/just-try-to-learn-the-truth-by-approaching-a-spiritual-master-inquire/) [A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/) > [“if you can only learn to see them. The truth had been there all along, only now had I seen”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-setterfield/if-you-can-only-learn-to-see-them-the-truth-had-been-there-all-along/) [Diane Setterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-setterfield/) > [The truth is very important. No matter how negative it is, it is imperative that you learn the truth, not necessarily the facts. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-truth-is-very-important-no-matter-how-negative-it-is-it-is/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Do not be discouraged because you cannot learn all at once; learn one thing at a time, learn it well, and treasure it up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilford-woodruff/do-not-be-discouraged-because-you-cannot-learn-all-at-once-learn-one/) [Wilford Woodruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilford-woodruff/) > [Sometimes it takes an experience to learn a truth, and often the truth is within the experience. Johnny Luckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-luckett/sometimes-it-takes-an-experience-to-learn-a-truth-and-often-the-truth/) [Johnny Luckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-luckett/) > [“He would learn the truth. Tonight he would flout his own rules. Meet the girl alone. Ask her a single question. He could afford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-ahdieh/he-would-learn-the-truth-tonight-he-would-flout-his-own-rules-meet/) [Renee Ahdieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-ahdieh/) ## More by Noam Chomsky > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It’s a shameful moment for U.S. media when it insists on being subservient to the grotesque propaganda agencies of a violent, aggressive state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/it-s-a-shameful-moment-for-u-s-media-when-it-insists-on-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are questions as to whether it should even exist. Who should corporations be responsive to, the management of a corporation? Theoretically they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-questions-as-to-whether-it-should-even-exist-who-should/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The first thing you ought to do is verify what I present. Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ I wrote an article about the marine landing \[in Haiti\] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-landing-in-haiti-right-away-but/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [American society is now remarkably atomized. Political organizations have collapsed. In fact, it seems like even bowling leagues are collapsing. The left has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/american-society-is-now-remarkably-atomized-political-organizations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things. Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/discovery-is-the-ability-to-be-puzzled-by-simple-things-noam-chomsky/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [This is class war on an international scale, and power is in the hands of those who control the international economic system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/this-is-class-war-on-an-international-scale-and-power-is-in-the-hands/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The 50,000 Korean mercenaries we had in Vietnam were professional killers and just massacred people outright. And the American army did plenty of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-50-000-korean-mercenaries-we-had-in-vietnam-were-professional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) [Explore all 2,129 Noam Chomsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More Clouds quotes > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [It lies around us like a cloud- A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-lies-around-us-like-a-cloud-a-world-we-do-not-see-yet-the-sweet/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. 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C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Max—you have a bigger mission than finding the flock's parents. Focus on helping the whole world, not just your friends. I held my wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/max-you-have-a-bigger-mission-than-finding-the-flock-s-parents-focus/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Sometimes I envy painters, it is wonderful to remain in front of a bouquet of flowers a whole morning, or even longer. A photographer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edouard-boubat/sometimes-i-envy-painters-it-is-wonderful-to-remain-in-front-of-a/) [Edouard Boubat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edouard-boubat/) > [Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/above-the-clouds-i-lift-my-wing-to-hear-the-bells-of-heaven-ring-some/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [If you like I'll be furious flesh elemental, or- changing to tones that the sunset arouses- if you like- I'll be extraordinary gentle, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/if-you-like-i-ll-be-furious-flesh-elemental-or-changing-to-tones-that/) [Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/) > [Sometimes in life the clouds are too dark to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/sometimes-in-life-the-clouds-are-too-dark-to-see/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [May you eat an unfamiliar dessert in a strange land at least once every three years. 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