It is very difficult to do one's duty. I was considered a barbarian because at the storming of the Praga 7,000 people were killed. Europe says that I am a monster. I myself have read this in the papers, but I would have liked to talk to people about this and ask them: is it not better to finish a war with the death of 7,000 people rather than to drag it on and kill 100,000.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Difficult decisions in war may cause immediate loss but prevent greater suffering overall.
- In plain terms
- Killing fewer now might save many lives later in a long war.
- What can you take from it?
- Harsh short term choices can reduce long term suffering.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is short term pain ever justified?
- How do you measure lives saved?
Another view
It rationalizes high casualties without addressing the human cost.
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