There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
For many of the world's conflicts, it is difficult even to conjure up a feasible settlement.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Resolving global conflicts often seems almost impossible due to their complexity.
Noam Chomsky highlights the challenge of finding realistic solutions to many of the world's conflicts, which are often deep-rooted and multifaceted. This quote reflects the complexity of geopolitical issues and the limitations of traditional negotiation strategies, suggesting that simplistic approaches are inadequate for addressing serious disputes between diverse groups and nations.
Themes
ConflictResolutionSettlementComplexityGeopolitics
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on international relations, this quote could underscore the importance of understanding the nuanced nature of conflicts.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes βThe 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Noam ChomskyRead
Similar quotes
I always had a desire to know asylum life more thoroughly - a desire to be convinced that the most helpless of God's creatures, the insane, were cared for kindly and properly.
Nellie BlyRead
So long as large sums of money are involved - and they are bound to be if drugs are illegal - it is literally impossible to stop the traffic, or even to make a serious reduction in its scope.
Milton FriedmanRead
Money is in some respects life's fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.
P. T. BarnumRead
It's disquieting to reflect that one's dreams never symbolize one's real wishes, but always something Much Worse... If I really wanted to be passionately embraced by Peter, I should dream of dentists or gardening. I wonder what unspeakable depths of awfulness can only be expressed by the polite symbol of Peter's embraces?
Dorothy L. SayersRead
I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I'm not sure I like it enough.
BanksyRead
Most people's lives are run by desire and fear. Desire is the need to add something to yourself in order to be yourself more fully. All fear is the fear of losing something and thereby becoming diminished and being less. These two movements obscure the fact that Being cannot be given or taken away. Being in its fullness is already within you, Now.
Eckhart TolleRead