Kill Quote by John Keegan
“Well, if they are trying to kill you, on the whole they're the people you have to kill, aren't they?”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Face of Battle, 1976
In lethal conflict, the enemy becomes the target of survival, justifying reciprocal violence.
In simple terms: Kill those who try to kill you.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the logic of self‑defense.
Themes
war
survival
ethics of combat
Mood
critical
serious
Type
military
ethical
When to use this quote
- combat
- defensive tactics
- policy making
Key Concepts
military strategy
moral dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- When is killing justified?
- What alternatives exist to violence?
A Different Perspective
The view may simplify complex moral considerations of war.
![“Hitler ... lacked the [inclination] for anything more than the occasional sensational display of emotion, in particular the great set-piece speech which mesmerized the mob and left him drained of ... energy.” quote by John Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/john-keegan-14504_display_hitler-lacked-the-inclination-for-anythi_97177.jpg)
