Stop, or I’ll shoot!” cried the soldier. The fugitive…
““Stop, or I’ll shoot!” cried the soldier. The fugitive, without stopping, turned his head and called out something evidently abusive or blasphemous. “Damn you!” shouted the soldier, who put one foot a little forward and stopped, after which, bending his head over his rifle, and raising his right hand, he rapidly adjusted something, took aim, and, pointing the gun in the direction of the fugitive, probably fired, although no sound was heard. “Smokeless powder, no doubt,” thought the young Tsar, and looking after the fleeing man saw him take a few hurried steps, and bending lower and lower, fall to the ground and crawl on his hands and knees. At last he remained lying and did not move. The other fugitive, who was ahead of him, turned around and ran back to the man who was lying on the ground. He did something for him and then resumed his flight. “What does all this mean?” asked the Tsar. “These are the guards on the frontier, enforcing the revenue laws. That man was killed to protect the revenues of the State.” “Has he actually been killed?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage illustrates the absurdity of violent orders and the dehumanizing effect of bureaucratic enforcement, questioning the morality of state violence.
In simple terms: State violence can be senseless and cruel.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and the cost of obedience.
Themes
war
authority
morality
Mood
critical
somber
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military conflict
- law enforcement
- political protest
Key Concepts
state power
bureaucracy
humanity
Questions to Reflect On
- What justifies the use of force by governments?
- Can obedience ever be truly moral?
A Different Perspective
Violence may be justified by law but remains morally ambiguous.