The quote from Orson Scott Card's "Seventh Son" presents a thought-provoking perspective on duels, suggesting that they are not glamorous contests of honor but rather a mechanism for two individuals to engage in mutual violence. By framing a duel as an agreement between two murderers, the author challenges the romanticized notions surrounding such confrontations, emphasizing the inherent brutality of the act. This perspective invites readers to reconsider the moral implications of violence, even when codified by rules and tradition.

This reflection on the nature of duels raises questions about the motivations behind such confrontations and the roles of honor and bravery. The idea that a duel is merely a structured form of homicide reduces the grandeur typically associated with it, revealing a darker reality beneath the surface. Card’s commentary highlights the complexities of human conflict and the ways in which society often glamorizes violent acts, urging a deeper examination of the values we hold and the narratives we construct around combat.