"We want to live at any price; so we cannot burden ourselves with feelings which, though they might be ornamental enough in peace-time, would be out of place here"

Erich Maria Remarque's quote talks to the ruthless truth of survival throughout wartime, as illustrated in his seminal work "All Quiet on the Western Front". This reflection catches the psychological change that soldiers undergo in order to withstand the extreme conditions of war. In essence, Remarque recommends that the sheer impulse to survive supersedes any peacetime sentimentalities, which end up being outdated and even hazardous on the battlefield.

The expression "We wish to live at any price" highlights the desperation and instinctual drive to cling to life amidst overwhelming odds. In wartime, the worth of life is both increased and diminished; increased since survival becomes the overarching goal, and lessened since the scenarios demand a detachment from qualities that specify human empathy and morality throughout peacetime.

Remarque contrasts peacetime worths, described as "decorative", with the grim needs of war. Peace is represented as a time when one can afford the high-end of supporting sensations such as empathy, compassion, and introspection. Nevertheless, in an environment dominated by the threat of death, these feelings end up being liabilities. Embracing such sentiments might result in doubt, distraction, or vulnerability-- none of which contribute to survival on the front lines.

The concept that these feelings "would be out of location here" even more shows the incompatibility in between the humanizing traits treasured in tranquil society and the dehumanizing needs of war. Soldiers might need to suppress their empathy and overlook suffering-- both their own and others'-- to function in combat. This psychological suppression, while needed for survival, ultimately adds to the deep sense of alienation and injury experienced by veterans, typically leaving long lasting scars that peacetime society has a hard time to comprehend or address.

In summary, Remarque's quote encapsulates the terrible improvement soldiers withstand, highlighting the loss of humankind that results when survival impulses eclipse deeply ingrained values, leaving those in warfare isolated not only from others however likewise from parts of themselves.