Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks... Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Universities and press failed to oppose Hitler, while the Church stood for truth.
- In plain terms
- Church defended truth when others stayed silent.
- What can you take from it?
- Institutions should defend truth even at political risk.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes an institution courageous?
- Why did some stay silent during crises?
Another view
The Church's role in history is complex and debated.
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