--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And if a diversion is needed, why not…" description: "\"And if a diversion is needed, why not arrest a general? Arthur Dillon is a friend of eminent deputies, a contender for the post of Commander-in-Chief o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/hilary-mantel-440_action_and-if-a-diversion-is-needed-why-not-arr_1387520.jpg" --- # And if a diversion is needed, why not arrest a general?… ![“And if a diversion is needed, why not arrest a general? Arthur Dillon is a friend of eminent deputies, a contender for the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Front; he has proved himself at Valmy and in a halfdozen actions since. In the National Assembly he was a liberal; now he is a…” quote by Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/hilary-mantel-440_action_and-if-a-diversion-is-needed-why-not-arr_1387520.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/hilary-mantel-440_action_and-if-a-diversion-is-needed-why-not-arr_1387520.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/hilary-mantel-440_action_and-if-a-diversion-is-needed-why-not-arr_1387520.jpg) > “And if a diversion is needed, why not arrest a general? Arthur Dillon is a friend of eminent deputies, a contender for the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Front; he has proved himself at Valmy and in a halfdozen actions since. In the National Assembly he was a liberal; now he is a republican. Isn't it then logical that he should be thrown into gaol, July 1, on suspicion of passing military secrets to the enemy?” [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) ## 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 suggests imprisoning a military leader based on political shifts and alleged espionage, questioning loyalty and justice. **In simple terms:** Suggests jailing a general due to political changes and suspicion of treason. Key Takeaway Consider evidence before punishing officials. Themes politics justice loyalty Mood critical skeptical Type historical political When to use this quote - court trials - military appointments - political purges Key Concepts revolutionary politics military ethics political intrigue Questions to Reflect On - Is suspicion enough for imprisonment? - How do political changes affect justice? A Different Perspective Legal standards may be compromised by partisan motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Diversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversion/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/july/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Republican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republican/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Suspicion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspicion/) [Why not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-not/) ## Related quotes > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [This so-called ill treatment and torture in detention centers, stories of which were spread everywhere among the people, and later by the prisoners who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hoss/this-so-called-ill-treatment-and-torture-in-detention-centers-stories/) [Rudolf Hoss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hoss/) > [He's not going to shoot us in the back by accident, is he?" 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