--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having found the bomb we have used it. We…" description: "\"Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/harry-s-truman-898_abandoned_having-found-the-bomb-we-have-used-it-we_292573.jpg" --- # Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it… ![“Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed American prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare. We have…” quote by Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/harry-s-truman-898_abandoned_having-found-the-bomb-we-have-used-it-we_292573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/harry-s-truman-898_abandoned_having-found-the-bomb-we-have-used-it-we_292573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/harry-s-truman-898_abandoned_having-found-the-bomb-we-have-used-it-we_292573.jpg) > “Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed American prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare. We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans.” [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The use of force is justified to end greater suffering and protect lives, despite moral complexities of warfare. **In simple terms:** Force can end suffering and save lives. Key Takeaway Weigh moral costs against lives saved. Themes war ethics humanitarian leadership Mood reflective serious historical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - combat decisions - humanitarian interventions - national security - post‑war reconstruction Key Concepts Just war theory military strategy moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - When is lethal force morally permissible? - How do we ensure accountability? A Different Perspective Moral justification may be contested; civilian harm remains a risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agony/) [Bombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bombs/) [Dropping bombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dropping-bombs/) [International law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-law/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Pearl harbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pearl-harbor/) [Pretense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretense/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Prisoner of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner-of-war/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Warfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warfare/) [Warning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warning/) ## Related quotes > [“A mathematician is afraid of flying due to the small risk of a terrorist attack. 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Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Dropping your bombs now, on all we've built, how does it feel now to watch it burn, burn, burn?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deadmau5/dropping-your-bombs-now-on-all-we-ve-built-how-does-it-feel-now-to/) Deadmau5 > [Based on a detailed investigation of all the facts and supported by the testimony of the surviving Japanese leaders involved, it is the Survey's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-nitze/based-on-a-detailed-investigation-of-all-the-facts-and-supported-by/) [Paul Nitze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-nitze/) > [Conservatives are fond of pointing out there are problems in this world can't be solved by throwing money at them. 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Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors. That applies in every field of human endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-will-concede-that-in-order-to-have-good-neighbors-we-must-also-be/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remarked for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/men-often-mistake-notoriety-for-fame-and-would-rather-be-remarked-for/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It is ignorance that causes most mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-is-ignorance-that-causes-most-mistakes/) [Harry S. 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Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [On tight money: It reflects a reversion to the old idea that the tree can be fertilized at the top instead of at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/on-tight-money-it-reflects-a-reversion-to-the-old-idea-that-the-tree/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [The United States should not under any circumstances throw away our gun until we are sure the rest of the world cannot arm against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/the-united-states-should-not-under-any-circumstances-throw-away-our/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individual, and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-maintains-that-government-is-established-for-the-benefit-of/) [Harry S. 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