--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Survival is a strong instinct, surrender…" description: "\"“Survival is a strong instinct, surrender is not an option, and all combat is justifiable homicide. But you pay a price.”\" — Nelson DeMille" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/nelson-demille-3019_war_survival-is-a-strong-instinct-surrender_1962982.png" --- # Survival is a strong instinct, surrender is not an option… ![“Survival is a strong instinct, surrender is not an option, and all combat is justifiable homicide. But you pay a price.” quote by Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/nelson-demille-3019_war_survival-is-a-strong-instinct-surrender_1962982.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/nelson-demille-3019_war_survival-is-a-strong-instinct-surrender_1962982.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e3/nelson-demille-3019_war_survival-is-a-strong-instinct-surrender_1962982.png) > ““Survival is a strong instinct, surrender is not an option, and all combat is justifiable homicide. But you pay a price.”” [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Survival drives people to fight; surrender is unacceptable, and violence carries a cost. **In simple terms:** Survival demands fighting, but it costs something. Key Takeaway Weigh the price of conflict. Themes survival morality conflict Mood tense serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - combat situations - legal defense - personal crises Key Concepts ethical dilemma self‑preservation Questions to Reflect On - Is surrender ever justified? - What price are you willing to pay? A Different Perspective Might glorify violence as inevitable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“If you’re ever in a spooky situation and have a strong instinct that you are being watched, hunted, or followed, I advise you not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/if-you-re-ever-in-a-spooky-situation-and-have-a-strong-instinct-that/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“This world ye speak of, Akira, is built upon survival. 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Turner [Browse all 38,922 War quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Survival is a strong instinct, surrender is not an option, and all combat is justifiable homicide. 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