[…] mines don’t work that way. They don’t blow up a human…
![“[…] mines don’t work that way. They don’t blow up a human body, they take off a leg or ankle or the family jewels. That’s what they’re designed for, not to kill people, but to wound ‘em so the army will spend valuable resources keeping them alive, and then send ‘em home in a wheelchair so Ma and…” quote by Max Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/26d/max-brooks-2735_family_mines-don-t-work-that-way-they-don-t-blo_978516.png)
““[…] mines don’t work that way. They don’t blow up a human body, they take off a leg or ankle or the family jewels. That’s what they’re designed for, not to kill people, but to wound ‘em so the army will spend valuable resources keeping them alive, and then send ‘em home in a wheelchair so Ma and Pa Civilian can be reminded every time they see ‘em that maybe supporting this war isn’t such a good idea.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote highlights how certain weapons are designed to maim rather than kill, forcing societies to bear the cost of caring for wounded soldiers and questioning the morality of war.
In simple terms: Weapons can be built to wound, not kill, making war costly and morally troubling.
Key Takeaway
Consider the hidden costs of conflict.
Themes
war
ethics
human cost
military technology
Mood
somber
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- military policy debates
- humanitarian aid
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Maiming weapons
resource burden
public perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think maim‑focused weapons reduce or increase overall suffering?
- How does public awareness of wounded veterans affect war support?
A Different Perspective
It ignores the strategic value of deterrence that lethal weapons can provide.