The politician is : trained in the art of inexactitude. His words tend to be blunt or rounded, because if they have a cutting edge they may later return to wound him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Politicians are skilled at using vague language to avoid making definitive statements that could be used against them later.
- In plain terms
- Politicians speak in vague terms to avoid giving opponents ammunition to use against them.
- What can you take from it?
- Ambiguity protects speakers from future accountability.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do leaders choose vagueness over clarity?
- How can voters demand more precise communication?
Another view
Not all politicians prioritize evasion; some value clarity and directness.
More from Edward R. Murrow
The politician in my country seeks votes, affection and respect, in that order:. With few notable exceptions, they are simply men who want to be loved.
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