The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic.[1]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- One death is personal tragedy, but many deaths are reduced to numbers.
- In plain terms
- One death is sad, millions are just a number.
- What can you take from it?
- Mass casualties become abstract statistics.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we process mass loss?
- Why do numbers feel less painful?
Another view
This phrase itself trivializes suffering by calling it a statistic.
More from Joseph Stalin
I know that after my death a pile of rubbish will be heaped on my grave, but the wind of History will sooner or later sweep it away without mercy.
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