--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we take out one, we have to take out…" description: "\"“If we take out one, we have to take out all. We can't risk collateral damage.\" \"Say 'collateral damage' again. That sounded sexy.”\" — Brigid Kemmerer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2be/brigid-kemmerer-2470_collateral-damage_if-we-take-out-one-we-have-to-take-out-a_1874410.jpg" --- # If we take out one, we have to take out all. We can't risk… ![“If we take out one, we have to take out all. We can't risk collateral damage." "Say 'collateral damage' again. That sounded sexy.” quote by Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2be/brigid-kemmerer-2470_collateral-damage_if-we-take-out-one-we-have-to-take-out-a_1874410.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2be/brigid-kemmerer-2470_collateral-damage_if-we-take-out-one-we-have-to-take-out-a_1874410.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2be/brigid-kemmerer-2470_collateral-damage_if-we-take-out-one-we-have-to-take-out-a_1874410.jpg) > ““If we take out one, we have to take out all. We can't risk collateral damage." "Say 'collateral damage' again. That sounded sexy.”” [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) ## 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 mocks the casual use of “collateral damage,” highlighting its unsettling allure despite moral concerns. **In simple terms:** Even serious terms can sound appealing. Key Takeaway Question language that normalizes violence. Themes ethics military language dark humor Mood critical ironic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political discourse - media analysis - personal ethics Key Concepts morality language critique social commentary Questions to Reflect On - Why do we find grim terms attractive? - How does language shape our perception of violence? A Different Perspective Desensitization can trivialize real suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collateral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral/) [Collateral damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral-damage/) [Damage Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damage-say-2607480/) [Risk Collateral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk-collateral-1983617/) [Say Collateral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-collateral-2607479/) ## Related quotes > [The world changes! So we're in a situation today where the only policymakers that have flexibility are central banks. But they don't have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-el-erian/the-world-changes-so-we-re-in-a-situation-today-where-the-only/) [Mohamed El-Erian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-el-erian/) > [Guns are part of the American psyche, aren't they? This is collateral damage for having a Wild West mentality. It's intrinsic to the American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/guns-are-part-of-the-american-psyche-aren-t-they-this-is-collateral/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [So here we have it. The equivocating distinction between civilisation and savagery, between the "massacre of innocent people" or, if you like, "a clash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/so-here-we-have-it-the-equivocating-distinction-between-civilisation/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [We have 23 million people unemployed. They're America's forgotten people. It's the damndest thing that this much collateral damage is acceptable to this \[Barack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-dobbs/we-have-23-million-people-unemployed-they-re-america-s-forgotten/) [Lou Dobbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-dobbs/) > [The critical importance of honest journalism and a free flowing, respectful national conversation needs to be had in our country. But it is being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/the-critical-importance-of-honest-journalism-and-a-free-flowing/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [Rachel knew what she was doing. And when she didn't, she could improvise on the fly, coming up with options that left a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/rachel-knew-what-she-was-doing-and-when-she-didn-t-she-could/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [In all the debate about Afghanistan, we don't hear much about our obligation to the wretched lives of Afghan women. They are being treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-brown/in-all-the-debate-about-afghanistan-we-don-t-hear-much-about-our/) [Tina Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-brown/) > [The only time Republicans will shake fists and point fingers is over a war delayed, one that isn't led by the US, or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/the-only-time-republicans-will-shake-fists-and-point-fingers-is-over/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [It is the most painful thing to see how young children become collateral damage of wars, but when peace treaties are signed landmines do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-glover/it-is-the-most-painful-thing-to-see-how-young-children-become/) [Danny Glover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-glover/) > [What I do know is that drones are a modern weapon. When used effectively, when taking out ISIS or terrorist leaders, that's pretty impressive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-i-do-know-is-that-drones-are-a-modern-weapon-when-used/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [I'm collateral damage. I'm road kill. And in 72 hours, nobody is going to remember who I am nor are they going to care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-massa/i-m-collateral-damage-i-m-road-kill-and-in-72-hours-nobody-is-going/) [Eric Massa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-massa/) > [Cameras help to minimize collateral damage, and very often, without a camera a missile cannot fire. Certainly, without a camera a drone can't function,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/cameras-help-to-minimize-collateral-damage-and-very-often-without-a/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/asymmetrical-warfare-is-a-euphemism-for-terrorism-just-like/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [President Obama has never summarized the Obama Doctrine with such clarity, but here is what it would look like: 'I will undertake any military…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/president-obama-has-never-summarized-the-obama-doctrine-with-such/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) [Daniel D. Polsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-polsby/) ## More by Brigid Kemmerer > [“What is with you?” said Chris. “Don’t worry,” said Quinn. “I already know he’s an ass.” “Love you, too,” said Gabriel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/what-is-with-you-said-chris-don-t-worry-said-quinn-i-already-know-he/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“He offered to make-out with Hunter if it would prove that he's ok with me being gay." "Hmm," said Adam. "Yeah I think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/he-offered-to-make-out-with-hunter-if-it-would-prove-that-he-s-ok/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Given that sin x = 1⁄4 and x is in Quadrant II, find the exact values of sin2 x and cos2 x WTF. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/given-that-sin-x-1-4-and-x-is-in-quadrant-ii-find-the-exact-values-of/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“I like you.” “I like you, too.” “I’ve liked you since the morning you ran into me.” I giggle and try to shove him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/i-like-you-i-like-you-too-i-ve-liked-you-since-the-morning-you-ran/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“He half rose from his seat and reached across another student’s desk to drop the mangled paper clip in front of Tommy. “Look, dude,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/he-half-rose-from-his-seat-and-reached-across-another-student-s-desk/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Touch was funny like that. How one movement could choke you and kill you, but another meant nothing more than a caress and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/touch-was-funny-like-that-how-one-movement-could-choke-you-and-kill/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“His expression changed, and he took a step back. He looked away. "When you said it was broken , you were just being-" "No!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/his-expression-changed-and-he-took-a-step-back-he-looked-away-when/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Kristin comes down the stairs, and the pressure on my chest snaps. I take a moment to turn away, inhaling deeply, blinking away tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/kristin-comes-down-the-stairs-and-the-pressure-on-my-chest-snaps-i/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Hunter stared back at him until Michael raised his eyebrows in a Dude, wtf? expression. Hunter shook himself. "Yeah. Sure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/hunter-stared-back-at-him-until-michael-raised-his-eyebrows-in-a-dude/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“She almost wished she smoked, so she could lie on the car’s hood, flick a lighter, and make up names for the constellations while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/she-almost-wished-she-smoked-so-she-could-lie-on-the-car-s-hood-flick/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [ “You're probably thinking I owe you my life."\[Chris\] "No." she \[Becca\] snapped. "Just sixty bucks." "You charge for the hero act?" \[Chris\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/you-re-probably-thinking-i-owe-you-my-life-chris-no-she-becca-snapped/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Scared of storms?” She jumped. The voice had come from behind her, and she forced her hands to her sides, ready to feign nonchalance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/scared-of-storms-she-jumped-the-voice-had-come-from-behind-her-and/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Before their final trip, Hunter's father had imparted one last lesson, and death had made it stick: Use them before they use you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/before-their-final-trip-hunter-s-father-had-imparted-one-last-lesson/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Becca watched New Kid work the cutlery. “Bet you wish you’d given up your seat now, huh?” “Oh.” Quinn settled back on the bench…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/becca-watched-new-kid-work-the-cutlery-bet-you-wish-you-d-given-up/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Nick's eyes were like ice. "Maybe we should talk about what happened in third period today. I didn't even ask if you were okay."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/nick-s-eyes-were-like-ice-maybe-we-should-talk-about-what-happened-in/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) [Explore all 165 Brigid Kemmerer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) ## More Collateral quotes > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) [Daniel D. Polsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-polsby/) > [Life is a right, not collateral or casual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suheir-hammad/life-is-a-right-not-collateral-or-casual/) [Suheir Hammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suheir-hammad/) > [President Obama has never summarized the Obama Doctrine with such clarity, but here is what it would look like: 'I will undertake any military…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/president-obama-has-never-summarized-the-obama-doctrine-with-such/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [I advise women to invest in real estate. It is the collateral to be preferred above all others, and the safest means of investing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hetty-green/i-advise-women-to-invest-in-real-estate-it-is-the-collateral-to-be/) [Hetty Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hetty-green/) > [I want to be clear. No company is too big to be prosecuted. We have zero tolerance for corporate fraud, but we also recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-gonzales/i-want-to-be-clear-no-company-is-too-big-to-be-prosecuted-we-have/) [Alberto Gonzales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-gonzales/) > [Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/asymmetrical-warfare-is-a-euphemism-for-terrorism-just-like/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Cameras help to minimize collateral damage, and very often, without a camera a missile cannot fire. Certainly, without a camera a drone can't function,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/cameras-help-to-minimize-collateral-damage-and-very-often-without-a/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [I'm collateral damage. I'm road kill. And in 72 hours, nobody is going to remember who I am nor are they going to care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-massa/i-m-collateral-damage-i-m-road-kill-and-in-72-hours-nobody-is-going/) [Eric Massa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-massa/) > [What I do know is that drones are a modern weapon. When used effectively, when taking out ISIS or terrorist leaders, that's pretty impressive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-i-do-know-is-that-drones-are-a-modern-weapon-when-used/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [When lending people money, be sure their character exceeds their collateral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/when-lending-people-money-be-sure-their-character-exceeds-their/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [It is the most painful thing to see how young children become collateral damage of wars, but when peace treaties are signed landmines do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-glover/it-is-the-most-painful-thing-to-see-how-young-children-become/) [Danny Glover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-glover/) > [Nothing makes a woman more esteemed by the opposite sex than chastity; whether it be that we always prize those most who are hardest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/nothing-makes-a-woman-more-esteemed-by-the-opposite-sex-than-chastity/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The only time Republicans will shake fists and point fingers is over a war delayed, one that isn't led by the US, or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/the-only-time-republicans-will-shake-fists-and-point-fingers-is-over/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [A basic ingredient in the manufacture of perfume, the attar-a heavy, pale-yellow oil stored in small metal drums-had been put up as collateral by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/a-basic-ingredient-in-the-manufacture-of-perfume-the-attar-a-heavy/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [“Lenders want to have peace of mind when it comes to getting their money back plus profit – collateral is one thing that gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/lenders-want-to-have-peace-of-mind-when-it-comes-to-getting-their/) [Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/) [Browse all 84 Collateral quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If we take out one, we have to take out all. We can't risk collateral damage.\" \"Say 'collateral damage' again. 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