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About this quote

What does it mean?
Homicide is categorized, with one type praised, suggesting moral ambiguity in killing.
In plain terms
Killing is sometimes called praiseworthy.
What can you take from it?
Killing is morally judged by context.

Where it applies

  • war
  • law
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • question moral lines
  • weigh choices

Questions to consider

  • When is killing right?
  • Who decides?

Another view

It trivializes the gravity of taking life.

More from Ambrose Bierce

  1. The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.

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  2. War is God's way of teaching Americans geography.

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  3. The ineffable dunce has nothing to say : embroidering it with reasonless vulgarities of attitudes, gestures and attire. There was never an impostor so hateful …

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