James Jones - He could not believe that any of them might actually...

He could not believe that any of them might actually hit somebody. If one did, what a nowhere way to go: killed by accident; slain not as an individual but by sheer statistical probability, by the calculated chance of searching fire, even as he himself might be at any moment. Mathematics! Mathematics! Algebra! Geometry! When 1st and 3d Squads came diving and tumbling back over the tiny crest, Bell was content to throw himself prone, press his cheek to the earth, shut his eyes, and lie there. God, oh, God! Why am I? Why am I? After a moment's thought, he decided he better change it to: why are here. That way, no agency of retribution could exact payment from him for being selfish.

James Jones

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James Jones Quotes

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He could not believe that any of them might actually hit somebody. If one did, what a nowhere way to go: killed by accident; slain not as an individual but by sheer statistical probability, by the calculated chance of searching fire, even as he himself might be at any moment. Mathematics! Mathematics! Algebra! Geometry! When 1st and 3d Squads came diving and tumbling back over the tiny crest, Bell was content to throw himself prone, press his cheek to the earth, shut his eyes, and lie there. God, oh, God! Why am I? Why am I? After a moment's thought, he decided he better change it to: why are here. That way, no agency of retribution could exact payment from him for being selfish. James Jones

They Said So®

Keywords

hit killed accident slain individual sheer statistical probability calculated chance searching fire moment mathematics algebra geometry 1st 3d squads diving tumbling back tiny crest bell content throw prone press cheek earth shut eyes lie god moment' thought decided change agency retribution exact payment selfish

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