It was perfectly clear to me that this order spelled the death of millions of people. I said to Eichmann, 'God grant that our enemies never have the opportunity of doing the same to the German people', in reply to which Eichmann told me not to be sentimental; it was an order of the Fuhrer's and would have to be carried out.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He recognized that an order meant mass death, asked for divine protection for Germans, and Eichmann dismissed sentimentality, insisting on obedience to the Führer.
- In plain terms
- He saw the lethal order but felt compelled to obey.
- What can you take from it?
- Obedience can override moral concerns.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people obey immoral orders?
- Can dissent be feasible in such regimes?
Another view
The quote reflects personal rationalization of evil.
More from Dieter Wisliceny
Eichmann was in every respect a painstaking bureaucrat. He at once recorded in the files every discussion he ever had with any of his superiors. He always told…
Permalink to quote #1 The Mufti was one of the initiators of the systematic extermination of European Jewry and had been a collaborator and advisor of Eichmann and Himmler in execut…
Permalink to quote #3 At the end of 1942, I tried, at the request of a group, to persuade Eichmann and Himmler to stop exterminating European Jewry and to allow some Jewish children…
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Neighbor, n. One whom we are commanded to love as ourselves, and who does all he knows how to make us disobedient.
Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce quote #60 'I renounce war for its consequences, for the lies it lives on and propagates, for the undying hatred it arouses, for the dictatorships it puts in place of dem…
Harry Emerson FosdickHarry Emerson Fosdick quote #1 He had never disagreed with anyone in his life, no matter how unfairly they may have treated him. He preferred to swallow his tears, suppress his anger and bit…
Ba JinBa Jin quote #1