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You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when…

“You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you’ll never know The hell where youth and laughter go.” quote by Siegfried Sassoon
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“You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you’ll never know The hell where youth and laughter go.”

Siegfried Sassoon

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Crowds cheer war from safety, unaware of the true horror soldiers endure.

In simple terms: People cheer war without seeing its pain.

Key Takeaway

Remember the human cost of conflict.

Themes

war society ignorance youth

Mood

somber critical

Type

political poetic

When to use this quote

  • political discourse
  • education
  • media coverage

Key Concepts

militarism empathy propaganda

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does distance affect empathy?
  • What responsibilities do civilians have?
A Different Perspective

Spectators often stay detached from frontline reality.

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