I think the level of casualties is secondary... [A]ll the…
![“I think the level of casualties is secondary... [A]ll the great scholars who have studied American character have come to the conclusion that we are a warlike people and that we love war... What we hate is not casualties but losing.” quote by Michael A. Ledeen](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/02f/michael-a-ledeen-52574_american-character_i-think-the-level-of-casualties-is-secon_841195.png)
“I think the level of casualties is secondary... [A]ll the great scholars who have studied American character have come to the conclusion that we are a warlike people and that we love war... What we hate is not casualties but losing.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Americans prioritize victory over human cost, valuing success more than lives lost.
In simple terms: Winning matters more than casualties.
Key Takeaway
Question the cost of victory.
Themes
war
values
human cost
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- military strategy
- public opinion
Key Concepts
political science
ethics
national identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think societies can value peace over war?
- How does this view affect foreign policy?
A Different Perspective
War can be justified for moral reasons.