---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By profession I am a soldier and take…"
description: "\"By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder - infinitely prouder - to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build;..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/douglas-macarthur-2344_art_by-profession-i-am-a-soldier-and-take-pr_2201398.jpg"
---

#  By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact…

![“By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder - infinitely prouder - to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death…” quote by Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/douglas-macarthur-2344_art_by-profession-i-am-a-soldier-and-take-pr_2201398.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/douglas-macarthur-2344_art_by-profession-i-am-a-soldier-and-take-pr_2201398.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/douglas-macarthur-2344_art_by-profession-i-am-a-soldier-and-take-pr_2201398.jpg)

> “By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder - infinitely prouder - to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, Our Father Who Art in Heaven.”

[Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/)

## About This Quote

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

A soldier values duty and sacrifice, but a father values nurturing and lasting legacy beyond war.

**In simple terms:** Fatherhood surpasses battlefield glory.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize building love over conflict.

Themes

family legacy war peace fatherhood

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- raising children
- post‑military life
- intergenerational values

Key Concepts

creation destruction purpose identity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can veterans translate battlefield skills to parenting?
- What rituals keep family bonds strong after service?

A Different Perspective

Balancing military duty with family can be emotionally taxing.

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