Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker describes a man who felt compelled to commit atrocities against Jews, believing them necessary and correct.
In plain terms
A man felt forced to do harmful things because he thought they were right.
What can you take from it?
People can justify harmful actions through strong belief.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • psychological study
  • legal defense

Putting it to work

  • analyze motivations
  • study obedience
  • review testimony

Questions to consider

  • Why do people believe harmful acts are necessary?
  • How does conviction influence action?

Another view

The speaker's perspective may be self-justifying.

More from Adolf Eichmann

  1. Mister death who signs papers then eats telegraphs simply: Shoot them then eats

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Nearly four decades after being buried in Israel's state archives, a rambling manuscript by Adolf Eichmann, the chief transport technician behind the Nazi deat…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. He is responsible because of the conspiracy and the plots for all that happened to the Jewish people - from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the Aegean Sea, f…

    Permalink to quote #24

Related quotes

  1. To sum it all up, I must say that I regret nothing.

    Adolf EichmannAdolf Eichmann quote #1
  2. Sonja: 'Violence is justified in the service of mankind!' Boris: Who said that? Sonja: Attila the Hun! Boris: You're quoting a Hun to me?

    Woody AllenWoody Allen quote #33
  3. Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved and beaten…

    Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman quote #38