Antiwar Quote by Samuel Lyman Atwood Marshall
“Studies by Medical Corps psychiatrists of combat fatigue cases... found that fear of killing, rather than fear of being killed, was the most common cause of battle failure, and that fear of failure ran a strong second.”
About This Quote
Identifies fear of killing others as the primary cause of combat breakdown, with fear of personal failure as a close second.
In simple terms: Combat stress rooted in moral fear
Key Takeaway
Moral anxiety drives battlefield collapse
Themes
war psychology
combat fatigue
morality
failure
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
psychological
military
When to use this quote
- front‑line soldiers
- military training
- veteran support
Key Concepts
military mental health
ethical decision‑making
Practical Applications
- combat stress interventions
- ethical leadership workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- How does moral injury differ from physical injury?
- What can reduce the fear of killing in combatants?
