--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All that happens is that the destruction…" description: "\"All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral damage.\" — Harold Pinter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png" --- # All that happens is that the destruction of human beings… ![“All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral damage.” quote by Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png) > “All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral damage.” [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He critiques how war casualties are normalized, especially when non‑American lives are devalued. **In simple terms:** War devalues lives, especially outsiders. Key Takeaway Recognize all victims equally. Themes war ethics human rights media bias Mood somber critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - military reporting - humanitarian aid - public discourse Key Concepts moral relativism political critique Questions to Reflect On - How can media avoid selective empathy? - What responsibilities do leaders have to all victims? A Different Perspective Focusing on one group can obscure broader suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collateral damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral-damage/) [Damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damage/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) ## Related 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 > [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/) > [We used to have a War Office, but now we have a Ministry of Defence, nuclear bombs are now described as deterrents, innocent civilians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/we-used-to-have-a-war-office-but-now-we-have-a-ministry-of-defence/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) ## More by Harold Pinter > [I also found being called Sir rather silly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-also-found-being-called-sir-rather-silly/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I saw Len Hutton in his prime, Another time, another time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-saw-len-hutton-in-his-prime-another-time-another-time/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Nothing is more sterile or lamentable than the man content to live within himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/nothing-is-more-sterile-or-lamentable-than-the-man-content-to-live/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“ I know the place I know the place. It is true. Everything we do Corrects the space Between death and me And you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-know-the-place-i-know-the-place-it-is-true-everything-we-do/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“DEELEY: Myself I was a student then, juggling with my future, wondering should I bejasus saddle myself with a slip of a girl not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/deeley-myself-i-was-a-student-then-juggling-with-my-future-wondering/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I've never been able to understand what they mean by 'Pinteresque,'. I'm sure it's indefinable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ve-never-been-able-to-understand-what-they-mean-by-pinteresque-i-m/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [A character on stage who can present no convincing argument or information as to his past experience, his present behaviour or his aspirations, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/a-character-on-stage-who-can-present-no-convincing-argument-or/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I'll tell you what I really think about politicians. The other night I watched some politicians on television talking about Vietnam. I wanted very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ll-tell-you-what-i-really-think-about-politicians-the-other-night-i/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Be careful how you talk about God. He's the only God we have. If you let him go he won't come back. He won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/be-careful-how-you-talk-about-god-he-s-the-only-god-we-have-if-you/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I hate brandy...it stinks of modern literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-hate-brandy-it-stinks-of-modern-literature/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“What sound was that? I turn away, into the shaking room. What was that sound that came in on the dark? What is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/what-sound-was-that-i-turn-away-into-the-shaking-room-what-was-that/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/there-are-no-hard-distinctions-between-what-is-real-and-what-is/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Truth in drama is forever elusive. You never quite find it, but the search for it is compulsive. The search is clearly what drives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/truth-in-drama-is-forever-elusive-you-never-quite-find-it-but-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Most of the press is in league with government, or with the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/most-of-the-press-is-in-league-with-government-or-with-the-status-quo/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Iraq is just a symbol of the attitude of western democracies to the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/iraq-is-just-a-symbol-of-the-attitude-of-western-democracies-to-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) [Explore all 138 Harold Pinter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## 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 > [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 > [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 ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral damage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harold Pinter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction-of-human-beings-unless-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Collateral" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction-of-human-beings-unless-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/harold-pinter-3125_collateral_all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction_2722946.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral…” — Harold Pinter", "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": "Harold Pinter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "All that happens is that the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction-of-human-beings-unless-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/all-that-happens-is-that-the-destruction-of-human-beings-unless-they/#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 } } ] } ```