Adjustment Quote by Sam Shepard
“I was in the war. I know how to kill. I was over there. I know how to do it. I've done it before. It's no big deal. You just make an adjustment. You convince yourself it's all right. That's all. It's easy. You just slaughter them.”
About This Quote
War experience normalizes killing, showing how desensitization and self‑justification make violence seem easy.
In simple terms: War can numb moral sense.
Key Takeaway
Question narratives that trivialize violence.
Themes
war
psychology
morality
Mood
somber
critical
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military training
- post‑combat adjustment
Key Concepts
desensitization
self‑justification
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies prevent moral disengagement?
- What supports help veterans process combat trauma?
A Different Perspective
Such rationalizations can be dangerous.
