Burned Quote by Robert McNamara
![“[General Curtis] LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side has lost. But what makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?” quote by Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/165/robert-mcnamara-12738_burned_general-curtis-lemay-recognized-that-wha_43443.jpg)
“[General Curtis] LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side has lost. But what makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?”
About This Quote
The quote questions the moral double standard in warfare, suggesting that actions deemed immoral when losing become acceptable when winning, highlighting the relativity of ethical judgments based on outcome.
In simple terms: Moral judgments shift with victory or defeat.
Key Takeaway
Winning can justify otherwise condemned actions.
Themes
ethics
warfare
relativism
power dynamics
justice
Mood
critical
skeptical
reflective
Type
aphilosophical
political
military
When to use this quote
- post-war analysis
- policy debates
- military tribunals
- public opinion formation
Key Concepts
moral relativism
military strategy
political hypocrisy
Practical Applications
- ethical training for military leaders
- public policy critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does victory influence moral standards?
- Can actions be judged independently of outcomes?
![“...but highly placed sources within the Kennedy Administration disagreed: "[T]he assumption that the strategic nuclear balance mattered in any way was wrong... As far as I am concerned, it made no difference... If my memory serves me correctly, we had some five thousand strategic nuclear warheads…” quote by Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f43/robert-mcnamara-12738_administration_but-highly-placed-sources-within-the-ken_893031.jpg)
