Judaism Quote by Andre Schwarz-Bart
““It is night at the front, a shadow, a shot. The Jew who has just fired hears a moan... "And then, mother, the hair stands up on his head, for only a few feet from him in the darkness the enemy voice is reciting in Hebrew the prayer of the dying. Ai, God, the soldier has cut down a Jewish brother! Ai, misery! He drops his rifle and runs into no man's land, insane with shame and grief. Insane, you understand? The enemy fires at him, his comrades shout at him to come back. But he refuses; he stays in no man's land and dies. Ai, misery, ai...!””
About This Quote
A soldier, overwhelmed by guilt for killing a fellow Jew, chooses death over returning, illustrating the crushing weight of conscience in war.
In simple terms: A soldier kills a comrade and, consumed by shame, stays in no‑man’s land and dies.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how guilt can drive self‑destructive choices.
Themes
war
guilt
conscience
shame
death
Mood
despair
tragic
intense
Type
narrative
historical
When to use this quote
- battlefield
- combat stress
- morality dilemmas
Key Concepts
moral conflict
psychological trauma
identity crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about the power of guilt?
- How might soldiers be supported to prevent such outcomes?
