--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: THey were jeered and admired by both…" description: "\"“THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not shot at, for display and panoply were part of war, which was less war than ceremonial sport, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg" --- # THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not… ![“THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not shot at, for display and panoply were part of war, which was less war than ceremonial sport, a wild, fierce festival… A day of war was dangerous and splendid, regardless of its outcome; it was a war of individuals and gallantry, quite…” quote by Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg) > ““THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not shot at, for display and panoply were part of war, which was less war than ceremonial sport, a wild, fierce festival… A day of war was dangerous and splendid, regardless of its outcome; it was a war of individuals and gallantry, quite innocent of tactics and cold slaughter. A single death--or two or three--was the end purpose of the war…”” [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War can be portrayed as a theatrical, almost sport‑like spectacle where individual bravery overshadows strategic cruelty. **In simple terms:** War seen as a dramatic, individualistic contest. Key Takeaway Recognize the human cost behind glorified conflict. Themes war heroism ceremonial individualism Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - military history - literary analysis - ethics discussions - peace education Key Concepts spectacle gallantry innocence tactics Questions to Reflect On - How does framing war as sport affect public perception? - What responsibilities do storytellers have in depicting conflict? A Different Perspective Romanticizing war can obscure its true brutality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Kind-hearted people might of course think there was some ingenious way to disarm or defeat an enemy without too much bloodshed, and might imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/kind-hearted-people-might-of-course-think-there-was-some-ingenious/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Ours is a war not against a religion, not against the Muslim faith. But ours is a war against individuals who absolutely hate what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/ours-is-a-war-not-against-a-religion-not-against-the-muslim-faith-but/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The outcome of the war is in our hands; the outcome of words is in the council.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-outcome-of-the-war-is-in-our-hands-the-outcome-of-words-is-in-the/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [The final outcome of a war is often determined by the degree of initiative shown on each side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiang-kai-shek/the-final-outcome-of-a-war-is-often-determined-by-the-degree-of/) [Chiang Kai-shek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiang-kai-shek/) > [We can safely make one prophecy: whatever the outcome of this war, the British Empire is at an end. It has been mortally wounded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/we-can-safely-make-one-prophecy-whatever-the-outcome-of-this-war-the-2/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Of course, the outcome of the war would not have been changed. The war was lost perhaps, when it was started. At least it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-galland/of-course-the-outcome-of-the-war-would-not-have-been-changed-the-war/) [Adolf Galland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-galland/) > [Even the most favorable outcome of the war will never lead to the decomposition of the main forces of Russia, which is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/even-the-most-favorable-outcome-of-the-war-will-never-lead-to-the/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [We can safely make one prophecy: whatever the outcome of this war, the British Empire is at an end. It has been mortally wounded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/we-can-safely-make-one-prophecy-whatever-the-outcome-of-this-war-the/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-are-at-war-with-the-most-dangerous-enemy-that-has-ever-faced/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I hold it to be the most monstrous proposition ever uttered within the Senate that conquering a country like Mexico, the President can constitute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-calhoun/i-hold-it-to-be-the-most-monstrous-proposition-ever-uttered-within/) [John C. Calhoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-calhoun/) > [War is a dangerous teacher and physical victory leads often to a moral defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/war-is-a-dangerous-teacher-and-physical-victory-leads-often-to-a/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [I think war is a dangerous place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-think-war-is-a-dangerous-place/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [If we want an all-volunteer force, the bottom line is that we're going to have to take care of these people who were willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-r-sullivan/if-we-want-an-all-volunteer-force-the-bottom-line-is-that-we-re-going/) [Gordon R. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-r-sullivan/) > [“War is such a dangerous business that mistakes that come from kindness are the very worst.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/war-is-such-a-dangerous-business-that-mistakes-that-come-from/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [“Let no one ever from henceforth say a word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegfried-sassoon/let-no-one-ever-from-henceforth-say-a-word-in-any-way-countenancing/) [Siegfried Sassoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegfried-sassoon/) ## More by Peter Matthiessen > [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [Figures dark beneath their loads pass down the far bank of the river, rendered immortal by the streak of sunset upon their shoulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/figures-dark-beneath-their-loads-pass-down-the-far-bank-of-the-river/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [I think in any writing you're paying attention to detail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/i-think-in-any-writing-you-re-paying-attention-to-detail/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [The great stillness in these landscapes that once made me restless seeps into me day by day, and with it the unreasonable feeling that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/the-great-stillness-in-these-landscapes-that-once-made-me-restless/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [“...experience was static in the valley; it was older than time itself, for time was a thing of but two generations, dated by moons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/experience-was-static-in-the-valley-it-was-older-than-time-itself-for/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [“The central feature of the practice of meditation and hard work known as Zen is that, as Matthiessen says, it “has no patience with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/the-central-feature-of-the-practice-of-meditation-and-hard-work-known/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [Be light, light, light - full of light!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/be-light-light-light-full-of-light/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [For some time I watch the coming of the night? Above is the glistening galaxy of childhood, now hidden in the Western world by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/for-some-time-i-watch-the-coming-of-the-night-above-is-the-glistening/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [“Nonfiction at its best is like fashioning a cabinet. It can be elegant and very beautiful but it can never be sculpture. Captive to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/nonfiction-at-its-best-is-like-fashioning-a-cabinet-it-can-be-elegant/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [Soon the child’s clear eye is clouded over by ideas and opinions, preconceptions, and abstractions. Simple free being becomes encrusted with the burdensome armor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/soon-the-child-s-clear-eye-is-clouded-over-by-ideas-and-opinions/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [“In the book of Job, the Lord demands, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?” “I was there!”-surely that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/in-the-book-of-job-the-lord-demands-where-wast-thou-when-i-laid-the/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [I meditate for the last time on this mountain that is bare, though others all around are white with snow. Like the bare peak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/i-meditate-for-the-last-time-on-this-mountain-that-is-bare-though/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [I was just very interested in the American frontier and the growth of capitalism - those enormous fortunes that were being made, more often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/i-was-just-very-interested-in-the-american-frontier-and-the-growth-of/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [“A far cicada rings high and clear over the river’s heavy wash. Morning glory, a lone dandelion, cassia, orchids. So far from the nearest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/a-far-cicada-rings-high-and-clear-over-the-river-s-heavy-wash-morning/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [I ... had what Kierkegaard called 'the sickness of infinitude,' wandering from one path to another with no real recognition that I was embarked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/i-had-what-kierkegaard-called-the-sickness-of-infinitude-wandering/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) [Explore all 99 Peter Matthiessen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) ## More Art of war quotes > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/that-prince-is-highly-esteemed-who-conveys-this-impression-of-himself/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-believe-that-it-is-possible-for-one-to-praise-without-concern-any/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“In the art of war, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the approaching battles. But if you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thorne/in-the-art-of-war-if-you-know-the-enemy-and-know-yourself-you-need/) [Emily Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thorne/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but-2/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Do not press an enemy at bay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/do-not-press-an-enemy-at-bay/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-the-soldiers-stand-leaning-on-their-spears-they-are-faint-from/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/management-of-many-is-the-same-as-management-of-few-it-is-a-matter-of/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough; hence the institution of gongs and drums... banners and flags. Gongs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/on-the-field-of-battle-the-spoken-word-does-not-carry-far-enough/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Browse all 404 Art of war quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not shot at, for display and panoply were part of war, which was less war than ceremonial sport, a wild, fierce festival… A day of war was dangerous and splendid, regardless of its outcome; it was a war of individuals and gallantry, quite innocent of tactics and cold slaughter. A single death--or two or three--was the end purpose of the war…”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Matthiessen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sides-and-were-not-shot-at-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art of war" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sides-and-were-not-shot-at-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/peter-matthiessen-5795_art-of-war_they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sid_660731.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“THey were jeered and admired by both sides and were not shot at, for display and panoply were part of war…” — Peter Matthiessen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Peter Matthiessen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“THey were jeered and admired by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sides-and-were-not-shot-at-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/they-were-jeered-and-admired-by-both-sides-and-were-not-shot-at-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```