Skip to content

If war's first victim is truth, its second is clerical…

“If war's first victim is truth, its second is clerical efficiency.” quote by David Mitchell
Download Open image
“If war's first victim is truth, its second is clerical efficiency.”

David Mitchell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Warns that truth is the first casualty of war, followed by bureaucratic efficiency.

In simple terms: War destroys truth first.

Key Takeaway

Protect truth in conflict.

Themes

war truth bureaucracy

Mood

cautious serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • journalism
  • policy making

Key Concepts

media ethics government transparency

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you verify information in war?
  • What safeguards protect truth?
A Different Perspective

Efficiency can be misused for propaganda.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by David Mitchell

Explore all 748 David Mitchell quotes

More Efficiency quotes

Browse all 782 Efficiency quotes