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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.

Albert Einstein#266

TruthPoliticsHistoryCourageInstitutions

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

  • political oppression
  • activism
  • institutional ethics

Putting it to work

  • speaking truth
  • supporting dissent
  • institutional reform

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.

More from Albert Einstein

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  2. Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it co…

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  3. You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And r…

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