--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever there's chaos, there's…" description: "\"Whenever there's chaos, there's ambiguity, and where there's ambiguity, there's fear. And fear gets manipulated.\" — Robert Redford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/990/robert-redford-1707_ambiguity_whenever-there-s-chaos-there-s-ambiguity_1930868.png" --- # Whenever there's chaos, there's ambiguity, and where… ![“Whenever there's chaos, there's ambiguity, and where there's ambiguity, there's fear. And fear gets manipulated.” quote by Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/990/robert-redford-1707_ambiguity_whenever-there-s-chaos-there-s-ambiguity_1930868.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/990/robert-redford-1707_ambiguity_whenever-there-s-chaos-there-s-ambiguity_1930868.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/990/robert-redford-1707_ambiguity_whenever-there-s-chaos-there-s-ambiguity_1930868.png) > “Whenever there's chaos, there's ambiguity, and where there's ambiguity, there's fear. And fear gets manipulated.” [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Chaos breeds ambiguity, which fuels fear that can be exploited by manipulators. **In simple terms:** Chaos leads to fear that can be used against people. Key Takeaway Recognize and clarify uncertainty to reduce fear. Themes uncertainty fear manipulation power dynamics Mood cautious analytical Type advisory critical When to use this quote - political campaigns - corporate negotiations - personal relationships - media reporting Key Concepts psychology social influence risk perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify hidden ambiguities? - What steps reduce fear in uncertain situations? A Different Perspective Clarifying ambiguity may be difficult when information is limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity/) [Ambiguity Ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity-ambiguity-3020937/) [Ambiguity Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity-fear-3020936/) [Chaos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos/) [Chaos Ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos-ambiguity-3020935/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ## Related quotes > [Ambiguity around ambiguity is forgivable in an unpublished poet and expected of an arts student on the pull: for a professional comedian demoting himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-webb/ambiguity-around-ambiguity-is-forgivable-in-an-unpublished-poet-and/) [Robert Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-webb/) > [Reagan's genius as a communicator lies in his use of ambiguity. ... Ambiguity is the mother of Teflon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lakoff/reagan-s-genius-as-a-communicator-lies-in-his-use-of-ambiguity/) [Robin Lakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lakoff/) > [Ambiguity is something that I really respond to. I like the complexity of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/ambiguity-is-something-that-i-really-respond-to-i-like-the-complexity/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [I believe that we can still have a genre of scientific books suitable for and accessible alike to professionals and interested laypeople. The concepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/i-believe-that-we-can-still-have-a-genre-of-scientific-books-suitable/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I've always been drawn to ambiguity in pop music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-ambiguity-in-pop-music/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [In order to be as free as I possibly can, in my own imagination, I can't take positions that are closed. Everything I've ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/in-order-to-be-as-free-as-i-possibly-can-in-my-own-imagination-i-can/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism - the failure to fail, and fail big, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-there-is-a-single-tragic-flaw-that-mars-our-biggest-enterprises-it/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [My path to wisdom began when I stopped pretending to know things I didn't know. When I explicitly admitted to the limits of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/my-path-to-wisdom-began-when-i-stopped-pretending-to-know-things-i/) [Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/) > [Yet again, an ancient answer echoes across the centuries: Listen! Listen to stories! For what stories do, above all else, is hold up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-kurtz/yet-again-an-ancient-answer-echoes-across-the-centuries-listen-listen/) [Ernest Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-kurtz/) > [I think the relationship between social-dominance orientation in people and the extent to which they're made uncomfortable by ambiguity and novelty is really important.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sapolsky/i-think-the-relationship-between-social-dominance-orientation-in/) [Robert Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sapolsky/) > [I blame my grandfather 100 percent for his oldest son's death. I don't think there's any ambiguity there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/i-blame-my-grandfather-100-percent-for-his-oldest-son-s-death-i-don-t/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [You cannot grow in the integrative dance of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, an ability to allow, forgive, and contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/you-cannot-grow-in-the-integrative-dance-of-action-and-contemplation/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/during-the-cold-war-we-lived-in-coded-times-when-it-wasn-t-easy-and/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [Ambiguity is necessary in some of my stories, not in all. In those, it certainly contributes to the richness of the story. I doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/ambiguity-is-necessary-in-some-of-my-stories-not-in-all-in-those-it/) [Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/) > [The position is clear - there is no ambiguity in Sinn Fein's position. We, along with all the other parties, have signed up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcguinness/the-position-is-clear-there-is-no-ambiguity-in-sinn-fein-s-position/) [Martin McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcguinness/) ## More by Robert Redford > [When I became successful, I put up a caution. I didn't think it was fair to have the shadow of that kind of success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-i-became-successful-i-put-up-a-caution-i-didn-t-think-it-was/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Never revisit the past, that's dangerous. You know, move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/never-revisit-the-past-that-s-dangerous-you-know-move-on/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [I have no regrets, because I've done everything I could to the best of my ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-have-no-regrets-because-i-ve-done-everything-i-could-to-the-best-of/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [When you get older, you learn certain life lessons. You apply that wisdom, and suddenly you say, 'Hey, I've got a new lease on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-you-get-older-you-learn-certain-life-lessons-you-apply-that/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [The country is so wounded, bleeding, and hurt right now. The country needs to be healed-it's not going to be healed from the top,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/the-country-is-so-wounded-bleeding-and-hurt-right-now-the-country/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [When I was a kid, nobody told me I was good-looking. I wish they had. I would've had a better time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-i-was-a-kid-nobody-told-me-i-was-good-looking-i-wish-they-had-i/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Criticism challenges current findings. The effort to defend one's position can lead to deeper insights or consideration of options previously not considered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/criticism-challenges-current-findings-the-effort-to-defend-one-s/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [There's a lot of money to be made by strip-mining and drilling the dirtiest oil on the planet. But why should the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/there-s-a-lot-of-money-to-be-made-by-strip-mining-and-drilling-the/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [All of the films that I've made are about the country I live in and grew up in... And I think if you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/all-of-the-films-that-i-ve-made-are-about-the-country-i-live-in-and/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [I've been very fortunate in that I've had wonderful relationships with people I've worked with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-ve-been-very-fortunate-in-that-i-ve-had-wonderful-relationships/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [I've always liked speed. I own a car that I shouldn't be talking about because I'm an environmentalist, but the 1955 Porsche Spyder 550…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-ve-always-liked-speed-i-own-a-car-that-i-shouldn-t-be-talking-about/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [The way you really find out about the performer's seriousness about the cause is how long they stay with it when the spotlight gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/the-way-you-really-find-out-about-the-performer-s-seriousness-about/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Usually I like to improvise. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the piece, I like to improvise because I think it brings a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/usually-i-like-to-improvise-sometimes-depending-on-the-nature-of-the/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Because, you know, you're in Utah. And because of its political conservatism, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/because-you-know-you-re-in-utah-and-because-of-its-political/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [What I would do is when I was younger I would draw in a sketch book something that happened in my life and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/what-i-would-do-is-when-i-was-younger-i-would-draw-in-a-sketch-book/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) [Explore all 214 Robert Redford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) ## More Ambiguity quotes > [The position is clear - there is no ambiguity in Sinn Fein's position. We, along with all the other parties, have signed up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcguinness/the-position-is-clear-there-is-no-ambiguity-in-sinn-fein-s-position/) [Martin McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcguinness/) > [Ambiguity is necessary in some of my stories, not in all. In those, it certainly contributes to the richness of the story. I doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/ambiguity-is-necessary-in-some-of-my-stories-not-in-all-in-those-it/) [Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/) > [During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/during-the-cold-war-we-lived-in-coded-times-when-it-wasn-t-easy-and/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [You cannot grow in the integrative dance of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, an ability to allow, forgive, and contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/you-cannot-grow-in-the-integrative-dance-of-action-and-contemplation/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [I blame my grandfather 100 percent for his oldest son's death. I don't think there's any ambiguity there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/i-blame-my-grandfather-100-percent-for-his-oldest-son-s-death-i-don-t/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [I think the relationship between social-dominance orientation in people and the extent to which they're made uncomfortable by ambiguity and novelty is really important.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sapolsky/i-think-the-relationship-between-social-dominance-orientation-in/) [Robert Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sapolsky/) > [Yet again, an ancient answer echoes across the centuries: Listen! Listen to stories! For what stories do, above all else, is hold up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-kurtz/yet-again-an-ancient-answer-echoes-across-the-centuries-listen-listen/) [Ernest Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-kurtz/) > [My path to wisdom began when I stopped pretending to know things I didn't know. When I explicitly admitted to the limits of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/my-path-to-wisdom-began-when-i-stopped-pretending-to-know-things-i/) [Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/) > [If there is a single tragic flaw that mars our biggest enterprises, it is conservatism - the failure to fail, and fail big, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-there-is-a-single-tragic-flaw-that-mars-our-biggest-enterprises-it/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [In order to be as free as I possibly can, in my own imagination, I can't take positions that are closed. Everything I've ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/in-order-to-be-as-free-as-i-possibly-can-in-my-own-imagination-i-can/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [I've always been drawn to ambiguity in pop music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-ambiguity-in-pop-music/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [I believe that we can still have a genre of scientific books suitable for and accessible alike to professionals and interested laypeople. The concepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/i-believe-that-we-can-still-have-a-genre-of-scientific-books-suitable/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I am in the utmost perplexity, yand have wished a hundred times, that if there is a A God, nature would manifest him without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/i-am-in-the-utmost-perplexity-yand-have-wished-a-hundred-times-that/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [There's a lot of ambiguity in life, and so often, our art is very neatly wrapped up at the end, when our lives never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-coon/there-s-a-lot-of-ambiguity-in-life-and-so-often-our-art-is-very/) [Carrie Coon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-coon/) > [“Man must not attempt to dispel the ambiguity of his being but, on the contrary, accept the task of realizing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/man-must-not-attempt-to-dispel-the-ambiguity-of-his-being-but-on-the/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) [Browse all 431 Ambiguity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whenever there's chaos, there's ambiguity, and where there's ambiguity, there's fear. 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