What is the first anesthetic? Wealth. And if I take your wealth? Necessities. And if I demolish your home, burn your fields? Acknowledgement. And if I make it taboo to sympathize with your plight? Family. And if I kill your family? God. And God......Hasn't said a word in two thousand years. (136) Omar El Akkad
About This Quote

This quote is about the importance of wealth and how it can be used to create an environment for happiness and security. The scene described above appears at the beginning of scene two in which Tom and his family are taken hostage and the latter has to provide food and shelter for the former's family. The scene begins with a statement that seems absurd: “What is the first anesthetic? Wealth.” Then the family is forced to move from one place to another as their home is demolished as well as their fields burned. To make matters worse, they are also denied any form of help from others.

This shows that wealth can be used not only for good but also for bad. However, we can use it to create a situation where we can live happily and securely, and where we can feel acknowledged and loved by others.

Source: American War

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More Quotes By Omar El Akkad
  1. What is the first anesthetic? Wealth. And if I take your wealth? Necessities. And if I demolish your home, burn your fields? Acknowledgement. And if I make it taboo to sympathize with your plight? Family. And if I kill your family? God. And God......Hasn't said...
  2. Sarat smiled at the thought. "You couldn't just let us kill ourselves in peace, could you?"" Come now, " said Yousef. "Everyone fights an American war.
  3. Everyone fights an American war.
  4. It seemed to Karina further proof that wartime was the only time the world became as simple and carnivorously liberating as it must exist at all times in men's minds.
  5. Rage wrapped itself around her like a tourniquet, keeping her alive even as it condemned a part of her to atrophy.
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