The quote from "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card suggests a pragmatic view of individuals as tools that serve a collective purpose in achieving survival and victory in challenging circumstances. It acknowledges a certain utilitarian perspective where people might be seen as instruments used by others to accomplish shared goals. While this notion may have some validity, it also simplifies the complexity of human relationships and individual worth.

The statement's emphasis on prioritizing immediate objectives, like winning a war, indicates a stark reality where the ends justify the means. However, it leaves unexamined the deeper implications of treating individuals merely as means to an end. This half-truth invites reflection on the moral and ethical considerations of leadership and the value of every person's inherent humanity beyond their utility.