Also Quote by John Patrick Shanley
“I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The idea 'Where does authority come from?' is fascinating to me. And also, the idea of a chaplain is fascinating to me because it's a man of the cloth in uniform, and it's the uniform of a killing machine. Back when I was in the Corps, when I saw that, I was amazed by it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Personal memoir, 2023
The speaker reflects on the paradox of military authority and the presence of chaplains, highlighting moral contradictions in war.
In simple terms: Military power and religious duty clash in war.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and moral roles.
Themes
authority
morality
military
religion
paradox
Mood
thoughtful
conflicted
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- military service
- ethical debates
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ethical conflict
institutional paradox
role of chaplain
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authority affect moral decisions?
- Can compassion coexist with combat?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook individual chaplain experiences.
![“…[E]veryone knew that sin was evil, and that no good could come from evil. But he did feel good; he felt positively marvellous. Consequently, it followed logically that telling lies and defecting from duty could not be sins. The chaplain had mastered, in a moment of divine intuition, the handy…” quote by Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a4/joseph-heller-601_character_e-veryone-knew-that-sin-was-evil-and-tha_777165.jpg)
