In the corridors of diplomacy people gradually tend to lose their capacity to distinguish between what is important and what isn't.
It is impossible, in my mind, to distinguish between the refusal to receive a petition, or its summary rejection by some general order, and the denial of the right of petition.
Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, murder is occasionally obligatory and always permissible.
Americans tend not to distinguish between political rhetoric and real intentions, which can lead to great misunderstanding.
God has enabled man to distinguish between his sister, his mother, his daughter and his wife.
Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no 'Nigerians' in the same sense as there are 'English,' 'Welsh,' or 'French. ' The word 'Nigerian' is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not.
I'm saying we need to be aware of it, and we need to be able to distinguish when political developments are occurring that are contrary to the public interest.
How few there are who are furnished with abilities sufficient to recommend their actions to the admiration of the world, and distinguish themselves from the rest of mankind.
I wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in charge of the defence of the country can distinguish a mortar from a motor; a gun from a howitzer; a guerrilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.
We must distinguish between the kind of structural transformation that would leave in place (even increase) the realities of the exploitation of labor, and one that would undo this kind of exploitation or at least radically reduce it
The true liberty of the press is amply secured by permitting every man to publish his opinion; but it is due to the peace and dignity of society, to inquire into the motives of such publications, and to distinguish between those which are meant for use and reformation, and with an eye solely to the public good, and those which are intended merely to delude and defame. To the latter description, it is impossible that any good government should afford protection and impunity.
It's not always easy to distinguish between existentialism and a bad mood.
Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.
It's important though to distinguish between religion and spirituality.
The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature.
Justice should remove the bandage from her eyes long enough to distinguish between the vicious and the unfortunate.
After a few days [in Iceland] I tried to take a photograph. But with my attempt to distinguish the first shot, the place disappeared on me. . . . I hadn't been in Iceland long enough to simply be there.
You must distinguish between what is urgent and what is important. You could accomplish all of the urgent things that you desire without accomplishing anything that is important.
We have within us, from the start, that which will distinguish us from the vulgar herd.
I can so clearly distinguish between the criminal and his crime; I can so sincerely forgive the first while I abhor the last.