Army Quote by Andre Gide
“It is essential to persuade the soldier that those he is being urged to massacre are bandits who do not deserve to live; before killing other good, decent fellows like himself, his gun would fall from his hands.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Immoralist by André Gide, 1902
The quote argues that soldiers must be convinced that their enemies are unworthy of life, otherwise they may hesitate and lose their weapon.
In simple terms: Soldiers need moral justification to kill.
Key Takeaway
Ensure moral clarity before violent actions.
Themes
war
morality
psychology
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military training
- propaganda
- psychological operations
- combat ethics
Key Concepts
dehumanization
obedience
ethical justification
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral arguments can justify lethal force?
- How does dehumanization affect soldiers?
A Different Perspective
Moral persuasion may not overcome innate empathy.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
