quote - cite

Hi! I'm writing my thesis and I have a doubt: when I use some other author's words do I need to use the verb "to quote" only if I exactly report his words or can I use it also for reporting his thinking without using his words?

I explain myself:

"Writing on sustainability, Naveh quoted Laszlo referring to a Macroshift which....>>
or
"Writing on sustainability Naveh quoted Laszlo: <<There'll be a Macroshift which...>>

are these sentences both correct?

And what about "to cite", is it interchangeable with to quote"?

Thank you for your help!

In general, we say that we quote a person, which means that we then give the actual words spoken by that person.
On the other hand, we say that we cite a book, article or other publication, which means that we give the reference of it.

Now in your sentence you are reporting someone else reporting another person's view, which introduces complications.
The first question is, did Laveh quote Laszlo? That is, did Laveh give Laszlo's actual words?

If the answer is yes, then the second question is, is it important for your purpose to repeat the actual words of Laszlo?

Then (a) if it is not, use a different verb to introduce what was said as indirect speech:
'Naveh agreed with Laszlo ( or 'echoed Laszlo's view', etc) that there would be a Macroshift ...';

(b) if it is important, then you need both to say that Naveh quoted Laszlo, and to give Laszlo's actual words as direct speech (not forgetting to cite the two sources).

thank you for the help 👁 Smile :)