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When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.
Otto Von Bismarck
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the gap between approval and action, suggesting that verbal support often lacks follow-through in reality.

Otto Von Bismarck's quote critiques the tendency of individuals to express agreement or support for an idea in theory, while their actual commitment to implementing it remains nonexistent. This reflects a common human behavior where people may voice their approval without any intent to take action, exposing a disconnect between words and deeds.

Themes

ApprovalActionIntentionWordsDeeds

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about political promises that are often unfulfilled.

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Quote by Otto Von Bismarck | QuoteProject