If war's first victim is truth, its second is clerical…
“If war's first victim is truth, its second is clerical efficiency.”
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.
Protect truth in conflict.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- journalism
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify information in war?
- What safeguards protect truth?
Efficiency can be misused for propaganda.