---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wars always kill more of the innocent…"
description: "\"“Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.”\" — Craig Alanson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg"
---

#  Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.

![“Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.” quote by Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg)

> ““Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.””

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

## About This Quote

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

War disproportionately harms civilians compared to combatants, highlighting the tragedy of conflict.

**In simple terms:** War kills more innocents than soldiers.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the human cost of war.

Themes

war innocents combatants humanitarian

Mood

somber serious

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

- policy debates
- humanitarian aid
- peace advocacy
- military planning
- education on war effects

Key Concepts

collateral damage ethical implications military strategy

Questions to Reflect On

- What measures can reduce civilian casualties?
- How do societies justify war despite its costs?

A Different Perspective

War’s complexity includes strategic necessities that can reduce civilian harm.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Combatants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combatants-1272508/) [Innocent Combatants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocent-combatants-1759142/) [Kill Innocent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-innocent-248385/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars/) [Wars Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars-kill-1759141/)

## Related quotes

> [Screwed-up people settle fights through violence. Screwed-up people start wars that could kill millions. Normal people settle fights through cookies, cakes, and pies. Normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/screwed-up-people-settle-fights-through-violence-screwed-up-people/)

[Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/)

> [We love action and adventure, but we use it to go out and start wars and kill people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/we-love-action-and-adventure-but-we-use-it-to-go-out-and-start-wars/)

[Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/)

> [“We kill a few people to stop a lot of people dying," Nyx said. "Wars kill a lot of people to keep a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/we-kill-a-few-people-to-stop-a-lot-of-people-dying-nyx-said-wars-kill/)

[Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/)

> [I can say now: all the combatants who participated in the fight for freedom in South America came to Algeria; it's from there that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-ben-bella/i-can-say-now-all-the-combatants-who-participated-in-the-fight-for/)

[Ahmed Ben Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-ben-bella/)

> [By day certainly the combatants have a clearer notion, though even then by no means of all that takes place, no one knowing much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/by-day-certainly-the-combatants-have-a-clearer-notion-though-even/)

[Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/)

> [It is open to a war resister to judge between the combatants and wish success to the one who has justice on his side.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/it-is-open-to-a-war-resister-to-judge-between-the-combatants-and-wish/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [I was not involved and am not involved in the questions about the rules governing detention of combatants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/i-was-not-involved-and-am-not-involved-in-the-questions-about-the/)

[Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/)

> [And the combat ceased, for want of combatants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-corneille/and-the-combat-ceased-for-want-of-combatants/)

[Pierre Corneille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-corneille/)

> [The spectator, the contemplator, the opposer of war have their hours with the enemy no less than uniformed combatants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-eberhart/the-spectator-the-contemplator-the-opposer-of-war-have-their-hours/)

[Richard Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-eberhart/)

> [“The War is the enemy. It runs itself on the fears of the combatants. It is a machine into which men are put and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-war-is-the-enemy-it-runs-itself-on-the-fears-of-the-combatants-it/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [To the non-combatants and those on the periphery of action, the war meant only boredom or occasional excitement, but to those who entered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-the-non-combatants-and-those-on-the-periphery-of-action-the-war/)

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

> [“Language is a powerful thing, and it changes the way we view ourselves, and other people, in delightful and horrifying ways. Anyone with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/language-is-a-powerful-thing-and-it-changes-the-way-we-view-ourselves/)

[Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/)

> [Against war one might say that it makes the victor stupid and the vanquished malicious. In its favor, that in producing these two effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/against-war-one-might-say-that-it-makes-the-victor-stupid-and-the/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [“I've always found that a really lively argument depends on the ignorance of the combatants.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-vanderhaeghe/i-ve-always-found-that-a-really-lively-argument-depends-on-the/)

[Guy Vanderhaeghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-vanderhaeghe/)

> [“Rachel left," he says, sighing. "Says she's never coming back." Galen nods. "She always says that. It's probably for the better tonight, though." They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/rachel-left-he-says-sighing-says-she-s-never-coming-back-galen-nods/)

[Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/)

## More by Craig Alanson

> [“Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/amateurs-discuss-tactics-professionals-discuss-logistics/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“We could go directly from, say, Atlanta to Duluth, instead of going Atlanta-Dallas-Chicago-Detroit-Duluth. Except, of course, there is no reason for anyone to ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/we-could-go-directly-from-say-atlanta-to-duluth-instead-of-going/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“I was not going to let fear of criticism make me shy away from doing what I thought was right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/i-was-not-going-to-let-fear-of-criticism-make-me-shy-away-from-doing/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“Break the problem down into manageable pieces, then solve each piece. Think of the problem as an enemy, and defeat them in detail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/break-the-problem-down-into-manageable-pieces-then-solve-each-piece/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“It’s not the touch, it’s knowing that you’re not alone, that someone cares about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/it-s-not-the-touch-it-s-knowing-that-you-re-not-alone-that-someone/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“But you’re not that smart, I mean, your species is responsible for Windows Vista.” “Vist- that was a long time ago!” “It’s still an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/but-you-re-not-that-smart-i-mean-your-species-is-responsible-for/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“although she used her frequent coffee buyer card, so I guessed that she got coffee there often. The shop wasn’t empty as I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/although-she-used-her-frequent-coffee-buyer-card-so-i-guessed-that/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“No problem. Seriously, Joe, women have just as much trouble understanding men, as men have trouble understanding women. The difference is, women generally want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/no-problem-seriously-joe-women-have-just-as-much-trouble/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“Bitches be crazy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/bitches-be-crazy/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“I like pineapple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/i-like-pineapple/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“At my level, the laws of physics are more like suggestions. And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/at-my-level-the-laws-of-physics-are-more-like-suggestions-and/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“We fight the wars. Politicians start them.” Chotek nodded, and sighed heavily. “And diplomats end wars.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/we-fight-the-wars-politicians-start-them-chotek-nodded-and-sighed/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“No, I pull in other resources as needed, I've never used more than seven percent of my capacity so far since I met you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/no-i-pull-in-other-resources-as-needed-i-ve-never-used-more-than/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“Friedlander chuckled. “Why did the two blondes freeze to death at the drive-in theater?” “I don’t know?” “They went to see ‘Closed for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/friedlander-chuckled-why-did-the-two-blondes-freeze-to-death-at-the/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

> [“the big problem is the lubricant contaminating the shaft.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/the-big-problem-is-the-lubricant-contaminating-the-shaft/)

[Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

[Explore all 36 Craig Alanson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/)

## More Peace quotes

> [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/)

[Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/)

> [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/)

[W.J. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-turner/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

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

> [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/)

[Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/)

> [When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of "shoulds," free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-z-borysenko/when-we-are-capable-of-living-in-the-moment-free-from-the-tyranny-of/)

[Joan Z. Borysenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-z-borysenko/)

> [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/)

[Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/)

> [“There is no fortune greater than peace; there is no force greater than peace; there is no excellent tapas greater than peace; there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muruganar/there-is-no-fortune-greater-than-peace-there-is-no-force-greater-than/)

[Muruganar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muruganar/)

> [Give me love, give me peace on earth, give me light, give me life, keep me free from birth, give me hope, help me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-love-give-me-peace-on-earth-give-me-light-give-me-life-keep/)

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

> [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/)

[Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/)

> [The great force for forging a society into a solid mass has always been war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-graham-sumner/the-great-force-for-forging-a-society-into-a-solid-mass-has-always/)

[William Graham Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-graham-sumner/)

> [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/)

[Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/)

> [War is like a fire. One man may start it, but it will spread all over. It is not about one thing in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-like-a-fire-one-man-may-start-it-but-it-will-spread-all-over/)

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

[Browse all 27,655 Peace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Craig Alanson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-than-the-combatants/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Peace"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-than-the-combatants/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/craig-alanson-17860_war_wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-th_1768727.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Wars always kill more of the innocent than the combatants.” — Craig Alanson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Craig Alanson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Wars always kill more of the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-than-the-combatants/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/wars-always-kill-more-of-the-innocent-than-the-combatants/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
