"I only know that I fired twice, or perhaps several times, without knowing whether I had hit or missed"
- Gavrilo Princip
About this Quote
Gavrilo Princip's quote shows the disorderly and unpredictable nature of war. He was a Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914, which triggered the beginning of World War I. His quote suggests that he was in a state of confusion and disorientation throughout the assassination, as he was not sure of the outcome of his actions. He knew that he had fired his gun several times, but he was uncertain of whether he had actually struck his target or not. This quote functions as a suggestion of the unpredictable and often disastrous repercussions of war. It also highlights the guts and determination of those who combat in wars, as they frequently need to make tough choices without knowing the outcome. Princip's quote is a powerful reminder of the human expense of war and the courage of those who fight in it.