Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
The feeling about a soldier is, when all is said and done, he wasn't really going to do very much with his life anyway. The example usually is: he wasn't going to compose Beethoven's Fifth.
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Summary
This quote suggests that the general perception of soldiers is often that they are not capable of accomplishing significant achievements in life, such as composing a masterpiece like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. It highlights a common stereotype that soldiers may not possess the same level of talent or potential as individuals in other professions or fields. The quote implies a belittling attitude towards soldiers and overlooks the significant sacrifices and contributions they make in their line of duty.