Ethics Quote by Väinö Linna
![“Liberty medals...Are they trying to bribe me with coloured ribbons? I wouldn't kill a man for one of those things. Or go and be killed. Any shooting I do is to save my own life, and not for a ribbon and a hunk of bronze. [says Mäkelä]” quote by Väinö Linna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba7/v-in-linna-51519_ethics_liberty-medals-are-they-trying-to-bribe_1110980.jpg)
““Liberty medals...Are they trying to bribe me with coloured ribbons? I wouldn't kill a man for one of those things. Or go and be killed. Any shooting I do is to save my own life, and not for a ribbon and a hunk of bronze. [says Mäkelä]””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Unknown Soldier", 1954
The narrator rejects superficial honors, emphasizing survival over medals, questioning the value of symbolic rewards.
In simple terms: I value life over ribbons.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize survival and integrity over empty symbols.
Themes
war
honor
survival
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- military service
- ethical debates
- personal risk assessment
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
symbolic value
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly motivates you in danger?
- Do symbols ever justify sacrifice?
A Different Perspective
Some may view medals as morale boosters.
