And when he got through I felt for the first time that there had really been a war and that the man I was listening had been in it and that despite his bravery the war had made him a coward and that if he did any more killing it would be wide-awake and in cold blood, and nobody would have the guts to send him to the electric chair because he had performed his duty toward his fellow men, which was to deny his own sacred instincts and so everything was just and fair because one crime washes away the other in the name of God, country and humanity, peace be with you all. Henry Miller
About This Quote

In this quote, Hemingway confesses that the novel he wrote was based on a true story that took place in Africa during World War I. The story was set in the time period when the Germans had been pushing so far into Belgium that they were able to send a message to their commanders in Berlin telling them the war was over. In his statement, Hemingway describes how it felt to be in a position of power and to have men under your command. He admits that at first he felt great pride at being able to fight for his country, but as his men fell one after another, he began to feel ashamed of his actions.

He says that he felt like “the man I was listening” had been “in it” and began to feel “cowardly”. He also expresses his wish that the man he was listening to would never have to go back on duty again because it might cause him to go back into battle with no regard for his life or the lives of others.

Source: Tropic Of Capricorn

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  1. What's a fuck when what I want is love?
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