Single Idea 23565

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / b. Justice in war]

Full Idea

We know enough if we know we are the king's men. Our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us.

Gist of Idea

Our obedience to the king erases any crimes we commit for him

Source

William Shakespeare (Henry V [1599]), quoted by Michael Walzer - Just and Unjust Wars 03

Book Reference

Walzer,Michael: 'Just and Unjust Wars' [Penguin 1984], p.39


A Reaction

He is referring to the slaughter of the French servants behind the lines at Agincourt. A classic expression of 'I was just obeying orders', which was rejected at Nurnberg in 1946. Depends on the seriousness of the crime.