---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If civilians are killed in an attack on a…"
description: "\"If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the I.R.A. for it.\" — Anonymous"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/anonymous-1_blame_if-civilians-are-killed-in-an-attack-on_2318762.jpg"
---

#  If civilians are killed in an attack on a military…

![“If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the I.R.A. for it.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/anonymous-1_blame_if-civilians-are-killed-in-an-attack-on_2318762.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/anonymous-1_blame_if-civilians-are-killed-in-an-attack-on_2318762.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/anonymous-1_blame_if-civilians-are-killed-in-an-attack-on_2318762.jpg)

> “If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the I.R.A. for it.”

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker separates moral responsibility from tragic outcomes, arguing that unintended civilian deaths do not automatically assign blame to the attacking group.

**In simple terms:** Blaming is not automatic for unintended civilian deaths.

Key Takeaway

Consider intent and proportionality when judging actions.

Themes

ethics war responsibility

Mood

reflective critical

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

- military operations
- humanitarian assessments
- policy debates

Key Concepts

moral philosophy collateral damage just war theory

Questions to Reflect On

- Is intent enough to absolve moral responsibility?
- How should societies address collateral damage?

A Different Perspective

Blame may still be relevant if the attack was reckless or disproportionate.

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[Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/) [Certainly Regrettable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainly-regrettable-5535524/) [Civilians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians/) [Civilians Killed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilians-killed-1075018/) [Installation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/installation/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Morally Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morally-blame-1956404/) [Regrettable Morally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regrettable-morally-5535523/)

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