There is the guilt all soldiers feel for having broken the taboo against killing, a guilt as old as war itself. Add to this the soldier's sense of shame for having fought in actions that resulted, indirectly or directly, in the deaths of civilians. Then pile on top of that an attitude of social opprobrium, an attitude that made the fighting man feel personally morally responsible for the war, and you get your proverbial walking time bomb.
Interpretation
The quote explores the emotional and moral burdens soldiers carry due to their actions in war, especially concerning civilian casualties.
In this quote, Philip Caputo delves into the complex emotional landscape of soldiers who experience guilt and shame for participating in war and killing, which is inherently taboo. He suggests that the weight of responsibility for the consequences of their actions, including civilian deaths and societal judgment, can lead to a psychological state of being a 'walking time bomb', highlighting the mental health struggles faced by veterans.
In practice
During a speech at a veterans' event, you could use this quote to emphasize the psychological toll of war.
In a guerrilla war, the line between legitimate and illegitimate killing is blurred. The policies of free-fire zones, in which a soldier is permitted to shoot at any human target, armed or unarmed, further confuse the fighting man's moral senses.
It’s paradoxical that the death of your quarry is besides the point and at the same time the whole point. A chase without a kill as its object is like a journey without a destination; a kill without a chase employing all the hunter’s craft is killing, not hunting.
My parents witnessed firsthand in Haiti that if you stop speaking up, one day you'll wake up afraid to speak. They came to America so they'd never be afraid of speaking up again.
You think about the legacy that you leave behind, and I've been very fortunate to be part of a very successful team, but I think the fight for equal pay and respect is something that goes beyond the field. I think it is very important, something that I'm very willing to take on to help the generations that come behind me.
Christian obedience, by its very nature, has a heroic character.
The ability to take misfortune and make something good come of it is a rare gift. Those who possess it are ..said to have resilience or courage.
if i could be assured of your destruction, i would in the interest of the public, cheerfully accept my death.
Praying for freedom never did me any good til I started praying with my feet.
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