My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military.
Meaning of the quote
When you're in the military, you often have to follow orders from your superiors without questioning them. This means that your ability to think for yourself can kind of "pause" or "freeze" while you focus on doing what you're told. This is something that happens to everyone in the military, not just you.
About Smedley Butler
Smedley Butler was a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer who fought in multiple wars, including the Philippine-American War, Boxer Rebellion, and World War I. He later became a vocal critic of American wars and foreign policy, writing the book ‘War Is a Racket’ in 1935. In 1933, he was involved in a controversial plot known as the ‘Business Plot,’ where he claimed wealthy industrialists were planning a military coup to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
More quotes from Smedley Butler
There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.
United States Marine Corps general, two time Medal of Honor recipient, activist, lecturer, official, and writer (1881-1940)
My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military.
United States Marine Corps general, two time Medal of Honor recipient, activist, lecturer, official, and writer (1881-1940)
War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
United States Marine Corps general, two time Medal of Honor recipient, activist, lecturer, official, and writer (1881-1940)
War is just a racket… I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else.
United States Marine Corps general, two time Medal of Honor recipient, activist, lecturer, official, and writer (1881-1940)