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We entered a synagogue which was packed with the greatest stinking bunch of humanity I have ever seen. Either these Displaced Persons never had any sense of decency or else they lost it all during their period of interment by the Germans:. My personal opinion is that no people could have sunk to the level of degradation these have reached in the short space of four years.

George S. Patton#9

WarHistoryPrejudice

About this quote

What does it mean?
Patton expresses disgust for Holocaust survivors, blaming them for their condition.
In plain terms
He insults victims of the genocide.
What can you take from it?
He judges victims unfairly.

Where it applies

  • historical accounts
  • memoirs

Putting it to work

  • avoid dehumanizing victims

Questions to consider

  • How do we judge victims?
  • What biases exist here?

Another view

This view ignores extreme circumstances and persecution.

More from George S. Patton

  1. I don't know what you think you're trying to do, but the krauts ought to pin a medal on you for helping them mess up discipline for us.

    Permalink to quote #8
  2. Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. There are three ways that men get what they want; by planning, by working, and by praying. Any great military operation takes careful planning, or thinking. Th…

    Permalink to quote #7

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