"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"

This quote by Kurt Vonnegut is a commentary on the perception of soldiers in society. It recommends that soldiers are viewed as individuals who have actually limited possible and would not have actually accomplished much in life despite their military service. The example given is that a soldier would not have been able to compose Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, indicating that they do not have the skill and ability to do so. This quote suggests that society has a low viewpoint of soldiers and does not value their contributions to society. It likewise suggests that soldiers are viewed as expendable and not worthwhile of respect or admiration. This quote is a tip that soldiers must be appreciated and appreciated for their service and sacrifice, no matter their potential in other areas of life.