By what I have read in books, I think few that have held a…
““By what I have read in books, I think few that have held a pen were ever really wearied, or they would write of it more strongly. I had no care of my life, neither past nor future, and I scarce remembered there was such a lad as David Balfour. I did not think of myself, but just of each fresh step which I was sure would be my last, with despair—and of Alan, who was the cause of it, with hatred. Alan was in the right trade as a soldier; this is the officer's part to make men continue to do things, they know not wherefore, and when, if the choice was offered, they would lie down where they were and be killed. And I dare say I would have made a good enough private; for in these last hours it never occurred to me that I had any choice but just to obey as long as I was able, and die obeying.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A soldier obeys orders without questioning, even when faced with death, reflecting on duty versus personal agency.
In simple terms: Blind obedience to authority despite moral conflict.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of unthinking compliance.
Themes
duty
obedience
war
morality
identity
Mood
reflective
somber
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- military service
- ethical dilemmas
- personal crisis
- historical fiction
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
free will
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever follow orders you disagree with?
- How does blind obedience shape identity?
A Different Perspective
The narrative glorifies sacrifice without questioning the ethics of war.