Quotes about clearing (2839 quotes, page 29)

“We were always playing shell games to not make clear to our leadership how many troops we had there”

James Franklin Jeffrey (1946) American diplomat

Source: 12 November 2020 interview with Defense One https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/11/outgoing-syria-envoy-admits-hiding-us-troop-numbers-praises-trumps-mideast-record/170012/ affirmed 13 November 2020 by Washington Examiner https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pentagon-shake-up-to-help-cement-trumps-legacy-bringing-troops-home-and-taking-out-enemies-white-house-source-says

Game

“The Hindus are so divided and so foolishly selfish that their majority does not count in actual politics. The atmosphere can clear only after a thunderstorm— after showers of blood.”

Jadunath Sarkar (1870–1958) Indian historian

Sir Jadunath Sarkar, letter on 14 August 1931 to Padam Bhushan Dr. G. S. Sardesai https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.98914/2015.98914.Life-And-Letters-Of-Sir-Jadunath-Sarkar-Section-1---2_djvu.txt https://www.dharmadispatch.in/history/jadunath-sarkar-as-a-seer-a-few-glimpses

Selfishness

“Place is important to my writing; I believe that if a reader gets a clear picture of the place where a character is from, then they can understand what motivates the character, what limits him or her…”

Jesmyn Ward (1977) American writer

Source: On using the setting to frame her novels in “Jesmyn Ward: ‘So much of life is pain and sorrow and wilful ignorance’” https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/nov/12/jesmyn-ward-sing-unburied-sing-interview-meet-author in The Guardian (2017 Nov 12)

Motivation , Understanding

“Trying to win an argument with an irrational person is like trying to teach a cat to snorkel by providing written instructions. No matter how clear your instructions, it won't work. Your best strategy is to reduce the time you spend in that sort of situation.”

Scott Adams book The Joy of Work

Source: Books, The Joy of Work (1998)

Personality , Cats , Time

“You always wanted to make it clear you weren't like the rest of us. You're still doing it.”

Zadie Smith (1975) British writer

Source: Penguin Books 2013, p. 278.

“We all like to believe that our world has clear heroes and villains and that the heroes are going to save us after all, but that’s not the reality.”

Nanfu Wang (1985) director and filmmaker

Source: "It Didn’t Take Long for Me to Feel Empathy: Nanfu Wang on In the Same Breath" in Roger Ebert https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/it-didnt-take-long-for-me-to-feel-empathy-nanfu-wang-on-in-the-same-breath (17 August 2021)

Reality , World

“There were clear class divisions among the protestors: the upper-class ones stood back and gave the orders, while the lower-class ones did the actual work. Some things didn’t change, no matter how many worlds you visited.”

Genevieve Cogman (1972) novelist and game designer

Source: The Lost Plot (2017), Chapter 17 (p. 215)

World , Change

“My appeal is to respect the people's intelligence and to put before them clear and unequivocal working programs and policies that will be implemented if (I am) chosen to lead the country in the upcoming general election.”

George Vella (1942) Maltese politician

Source: George Vella (2021) cited in " President urges politicians to 'respect people's intelligence' https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/president-urges-politicians-to-respect-peoples-intelligence.921130" on Times of Malta, 13 December 2021.

Intelligence , People , Country

“I have made it absolutely clear throughout my political career that as a Christian I am not a racist in any shape or form.”

David Rowlands (1947–2014) British civil servant

Source: New Brexit Party AM calls Tommy Robinson 'courageous' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-48295617 BBC News (16 May 2019)

“Xenophanes might be saying that we have only superficial understanding, and we never get to knowledge of the clear truth.”

Catherine Rowett (1956) Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia (born 1956)

Source: Presocratic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (2004), Ch. 4 : Reality and appearance: more adventures in metaphysics

Truth , Knowledge , Understanding

“It was clear to me that all over the world publishing is a problem. Whether than it through self-censorship or overt censorship.”

Julian Assange book When Google Met Wikileaks

Source: Julian Assange, "When Google Met Wikileaks" (ORbooks, New York, 2014), p. 69

Problem , World

“By noon it was clear that the Socialists would have a majority.”

Winston S. Churchill book The Second World War

The Second World War (1948–1953)
Source: On the (July 26, 1945) landslide electoral defeat that turned him out of office near the end of WWII, in The Second World War, Volume VI: Triumph and Tragedy (1953), Chapter 40 (The End of My Account), p. 583.
Context: At luncheon my wife said to me, 'It may well be a blessing in disguise. 'I replied, 'At the moment it seems quite effectively disguised.'

“Spontaneous rallies were used as a pretext for provoking civil unrest. Religious radicals, criminals, outright thugs, looters and petty hooligans filled the streets as if on cue. Socio-economic and socio-political demands were put on the back burner, they were forgotten. Next followed the hot phase, and armed fighters, who were biding their time, took over. The main goal of these events became clear – to undermine the constitutional system, destroy governance institutions and seize power. It is obvious now that these armed activities were coordinated from a single centre, and the carefully planned operation entered its decisive phase.”

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (1953) Kazakh politician

Source: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2022) cited in: " Don’t Ignore All Sides of Russian Messaging https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column_article/dont-ignore-all-sides-of-russian-messaging" in The Cipher Brief, 18 January 2022.

Decision , Time

“Men talk too much of gold and fame,
And not enough about a name;
And yet a good name's better far
Than all earth's glistening jewels are.
Who holds his name above all price
And chooses every sacrifice
To keep his earthly record clear,
Can face the world without a fear.Who never cheats nor lies for gain,
A poor man may, perhaps, remain,
Yet, when at night he goes to rest,
No little voice within his breast
Disturbs his slumber. Conscience clear,
He falls asleep with naught to fear
And when he wakes the world to face
He is not tainted by disgrace.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

Source: The Path to Home (1919), p.143 - A Good Name, stanzas 1 and 2.

Cheating , Night , Men , World

“Don’t kid yourself: The pain and scars from that day run deep.
I said it many times and it’s no more true or real than when we think about the events of January 6th: We are in a battle for the soul of America. A battle that, by the grace of God and the goodness and gracious — and greatness of this nation, we will win.
Believe me, I know how difficult democracy is. And I’m crystal clear about the threats America faces. But I also know that our darkest days can lead to light and hope.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

Source: 2022, Remarks to Mark One Year Since The January 6th Deadly Assault On The U.S. Capitol (2022)

Democracy , Soul , Thinking , God

“If you have no clear vision of where you are going, you will end up in a different destination.”

- Goa

“It is clear that the popular revolution must combine three demands: a life of stability for the people, national independence, and world peace. These demands must be realised through international solidarity.”

Kyūichi Tokuda (1894–1953) Japanese politician

New Situation and the Policy of the Communist Party of Japan (1950)

People , World , Peace , Life

“Mistakes clear the path for success.”

Ron English (1959) American artist

Ron English's Fauxlosophy: Volume 2 (2022)

Success

“Out of the clear blue nowhere.”

Ron English (1959) American artist

Ron English's Fauxlosophy: Volume 2 (2022)

“We are journalists, and our mission is clear – to distinguish between facts and fiction.”

Dmitry Muratov (1961) Russian journalist and television presenter

“Be very clear what you want to achieve and go after it and achieve it, but also be empathetic and supportive to those that you work with”

Matshidiso Moeti Motswana physician, WHO Regional Director for Africa

Support

“Will the right hon. Lady take the opportunity today and every day to make clear to the country, as only she can, that the courses that are being commended to her by the official Opposition and by many other voices mean nothing but a deliberate return to hyper-inflation?”

Enoch Powell (1912–1998) British politician

Question http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1980/jul/22/prime-minister-engagements#column_267 to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the House of Commons (22 July 1980)
1980s

Country

“Judgements on the performance of our economy require a clearly defined objective. Too often... there are multiple and contradictory objectives. Unless we are clear on our... objectives, we are not able to evaluate performance as good or bad...”

Henry Kaufman (1927) American economist

Interest Rates, the Markets, and the New Financial World (1986)

“It becomes increasingly clear that […] the Christian's watchword can no longer be "escape" but "collaboration." He must co-operate with God and men in God's work in the world and among humanity.”

Henri de Lubac (1896–1991) Jesuit theologian and cardinal

Source: Catholicism (1938), Ch. VII. "Salvation through the Church", p. 122

God , World , Men

“Unlike the left, we do not trot out any far-fetched or unachievable promises. Our program is straightforward and clear – there should not be any homeless, unemployed or hungry. This is the minimal goal, while the maximum goal is to make a major leap forward.”

Vladimir Zhirinovsky (1946–2022) Russian politician and political activist

"TASS exclusive: Zhirinovsky's first interview as presidential candidate" https://tass.com/politics/983699?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google.com&utm_referrer=google.com (29 December 2017)

“It's great to clear your psychic decks so you can go into the weekend ready for refreshment and recreation, with nothing on your mind.”

David Allen book Getting Things Done

Source: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (2001), Ch. 8

“[Y]ou must have a clear picture in your mind of what success would look, sound, and feel like.”

David Allen book Getting Things Done

Source: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (2001), Ch. 3

Success , Feeling

“Nothing is more ingenious, more obstinate, nastier—indeed, in a sense, more clear sighted, than mediocrity harrying every form of superiority that offends it.”

Henri de Lubac (1896–1991) Jesuit theologian and cardinal

Source: Paradoxes of Faith (1987), Ch. X. "Man", p. 136

Sense

“If, then, in the sphere of action there is some one end which we desire for its own sake, and for the sake of which we desire every thing else; and if we do not choose every thing for the sake of something else, for this would go on without limit, and our desire would be idle and futile, it is clear that this must be the supreme good, and the best thing of all.”

Aristotle (-384–-321 BC) Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy

Bk I, Ch I
The Ethics Of Aristotle (Vol. I)

“But it is clear there is a difference in the ends proposed: for in some cases they are activities, and in others results beyond the mere activities, and where there are certain ends beyond and beside the actions, the results are naturally superior to the activities. Now, as there are numerous kinds of actions and numerous arts and sciences, it follows that the ends are also various. Thus the end of the healing art is health, of ship-building ships, of strategy victory, of economy wealth.”

Aristotle (-384–-321 BC) Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy

Bk I, Ch I
The Ethics Of Aristotle (Vol. I)

Health , Science , Wealth , Victory

“A national election campaign is not a conflict of self-interest, with the prize going to the highest bidder. It is an occasion for a re-statement of faith, a renewal of zeal, and a clear vision of the future.”

Robert Menzies (1894–1978) Australian politician, 12th Prime Minister of Australia

Election speech, Canterbury, Victoria, 29 October, 1958 https://electionspeeches.moadoph.gov.au/speeches/1958-robert-menzies
Second Term as Prime Minister (1949-1966)

Faith , Future

“It is absolutely clear to everyone that the reasons for such a disastrous war as we have endured for seven years now have nothing to do with the demand for democracy or freedom. They have much more to do with a dirty game of world economics.”

Joseph Tobji (1971) archeparch of Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Aleppo

“If it weren‘t for the Church, we‘d be dead by now” https://acninternational.org/werent-church-wed-dead-now/ (6 February 2018)

Democracy , Freedom , War , Game

“Thus, it will be necessary to try and defeat the enemy in field battles. And, excuse me, with whom, and with what?! If so far not even the partial mobilisation has been carried out?! No one is giving clear answers to these questions. Simply because there aren't any.”

Igor Girkin (1970) Russian citizen from Moscow who played a significant role in the War in Donbass

"'It's meaningless to hope for victory': Top Russian ex-spy turned influencer warns Putin's offensive in Eastern Ukraine is going 'very bad', troops will suffer 'huge losses' while their leadership leaves 'much to be desired'" https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10836379/Ukraine-war-Ex-Russian-commander-says-meaningless-hope-victory-Donbas.html, Daily Mail, 20 May 2022
About the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Question