Depends Quote by William J. Clinton
“It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If 'is' means 'is and never has been' that's one thing - if it means 'there is none', that was a completely true statement,”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1995 University Address, Harvard University
The meaning of “is” determines truth; if it denotes permanence, statements differ from those implying absence
In simple terms: The verb “is” changes meaning based on context
Key Takeaway
Clarify definitions before arguing
Themes
philosophy
language
logic
Mood
analytical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- legal interpretation
- software programming
- philosophical discourse
Key Concepts
semantic analysis
ontological inquiry
temporal logic
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our perception of truth?
- What are consequences of ambiguous terms in law?
A Different Perspective
Different interpretations can lead to miscommunication
![“We [Democrats] have got to be strong. When we look weak in a time where people feel insecure, we lose. when people feel uncertain, they'd rather have somebody who's strong and wrong than somebody who's weak and right.” quote by William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4af/william-j-clinton-302_democracy_we-democrats-have-got-to-be-strong-when_62306.jpg)
