Army Quote by Stuart Archer Cohen
““In that moment, I understand the way that the noblest yearning for duty and sacrifice can be mixed up with all that is savage and shameful, like in the Bible, where a just and merciful God tells you to kill everyone, kill the children, kill the livestock, kill John Polling, leave nothing alive to sully this pure and just world. Except when it's all done you find out that wasn't really God after all, just some politician, or maybe it was God, but he taps you on the shoulder and says, 'No, dude, that isn't what I meant,' and leaves you sitting in a Dairy Queen in Bothell with blood on your hands and no further orders...””
About This Quote
A critique of how noble intentions can be twisted into violent actions, questioning divine and political authority.
In simple terms: Noble motives can mask cruelty and false authority.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of commands.
Themes
faith
war
morality
politics
religion
disillusionment
Mood
conflicted
critical
somber
Type
Army:1
Children:0
Dairy queen:0
Experience:0
Faith:1
God:1
Hope lost:0
Merciful god:0
Revolution:0
Sacrifice:0
Time:0
God Tells:0
Duty Sacrifice:0
Noblest Yearning:0
When to use this quote
- military service
- political activism
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ethical paradox
authority abuse
psychological conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile duty with moral conscience?
- When does authority become a justification for wrongdoing?
A Different Perspective
The quote mixes satire and hyperbole, which may obscure nuanced analysis.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
