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I can give vent to my inmost feelings only in the form of humble thanks to Providence which called upon me and vouchsafed it to me, once an unknown soldier of the Great War, to rise to be the Leader of my people, so dear to me. Providence showed me the way to free our people from the depths of its misery without bloodshed and to lead it upward once again. Providence granted that I might fulfill my life's task-to raise my German people out of the depths of defeat and to liberate it from the bonds of the most outrageous dictate of all times. : I have regarded myself as called upon by Providence to serve my own people alone and to deliver them from their frightful misery.

Adolf Hitler#67

ReligionHistoryPoliticsLeadershipHitlerDestinyNarrativeSelf perception

About this quote

What does it mean?
Hitler attributes his rise and achievements to divine providence, framing his leadership as a destined mission.
In plain terms
He believes a higher power chose him to lead Germany.
What can you take from it?
Leaders often claim divine support for their actions.

Where it applies

  • political mythology
  • analyzing leader rhetoric
  • historical leadership

Putting it to work

  • studying political narratives
  • analyzing self-justification
  • examining historical claims

Questions to consider

  • Why do leaders invoke destiny?
  • How is legitimacy constructed in politics?

Another view

This is self-aggrandizing propaganda using religious language.

More from Adolf Hitler

  1. The judgment whether a people is virtuous or not virtuous can hardly be passed by a human being. That should be left to God.

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  2. Our strength consists in our speed and in our brutality. Genghis Khan led millions of women and children to slaughter, with premeditation and a happy heart. Hi…

    Permalink to quote #68
  3. Help yourself, then God will also help you! The German people was created by Providence, not in order to obey a law which suits Englishmen or Frenchmen, but to…

    Permalink to quote #65

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