--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is and isn't justified by military…" description: "\"What is and isn't justified by military necessity is, naturally, open to interpretation. One of the key concepts, though, is the law of proportionality..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/sebastian-junger-4689_acceptable_what-is-and-isn-t-justified-by-military_3033362.jpg" --- # What is and isn't justified by military necessity is… ![“What is and isn't justified by military necessity is, naturally, open to interpretation. One of the key concepts, though, is the law of proportionality. A military attack that results in civilian casualties - 'collateral damage' - is acceptable as long as the military benefits outweigh the price…” quote by Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/sebastian-junger-4689_acceptable_what-is-and-isn-t-justified-by-military_3033362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/sebastian-junger-4689_acceptable_what-is-and-isn-t-justified-by-military_3033362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/sebastian-junger-4689_acceptable_what-is-and-isn-t-justified-by-military_3033362.jpg) > “What is and isn't justified by military necessity is, naturally, open to interpretation. One of the key concepts, though, is the law of proportionality. A military attack that results in civilian casualties - 'collateral damage' - is acceptable as long as the military benefits outweigh the price that is paid by humanity.” [Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-junger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Military necessity is interpreted through proportionality, allowing civilian harm only if the strategic gain outweighs the human cost. **In simple terms:** War is justified only if benefits exceed civilian harm. Key Takeaway Assess proportionality before action. Themes war ethics law proportionality Mood analytical critical Type philosophical policy When to use this quote - policy debates - military planning - humanitarian NGOs Key Concepts international law military strategy humanitarian impact Questions to Reflect On - When does proportionality become a pretext? - Who decides the value of civilian lives? A Different Perspective It can be used to rationalize excessive force. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collateral damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral-damage/) [Damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damage/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Necessity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessity/) [Outweigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outweigh/) ## Related quotes > [I personally am not a total pacifist. I do believe there is such a thing as a just war. I believe, for instance, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-personally-am-not-a-total-pacifist-i-do-believe-there-is-such-a/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Emancipation came to the colored race in America as a war measure. 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