Humanity Quote by Tom Mangold
““This is how I see humanity. When enemies come to your country, destroy the countryside and your village, kill your countrymen, your comrades and the defenseless wounded, you have to kill them and defend your compatriots; that is true humanity.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2005
In war, extreme violence is rationalized as protecting one’s own people, equating brutality with humanity.
In simple terms: War justifies killing to protect compatriots.
Key Takeaway
Question moral justification of violence in conflict.
Themes
war
morality
humanity
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military strategy
- human rights activism
- peacebuilding
- journalism
Key Concepts
ethics
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is violence ever truly humane?
- How can societies protect civilians without killing?
A Different Perspective
Such logic can perpetuate cycles of violence.
![“We have set out on a quest for true humanity, and somewhere on the distant horizon we can see the glittering prize. Let us march forth with courage and determination, drawing strength from our common plight and our brotherhood [and sisterhood]. In time we shall be in a position to bestow upon…” quote by Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fa1/steven-biko-10985_adventure_we-have-set-out-on-a-quest-for-true-huma_1859093.jpg)
