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About this quote

What does it mean?
Frank suggests that even dark figures like Hitler have some redeeming qualities, using the metaphor of light and shadows.
In plain terms
Nothing is completely bad; even evil has some good aspects.
What can you take from it?
Avoid absolute judgments; look for nuance in human character.

Where it applies

  • historical judgment
  • evaluating leaders
  • moral complexity

Putting it to work

  • seek balanced views
  • avoid black and white thinking

Questions to consider

  • Can evil have redeeming qualities?
  • How do we judge historical figures?

Another view

Some actions or figures may be so harmful that finding 'light' is inappropriate.

More from Hans Frank

  1. You can't indict a government and its organizations as criminal. The conception of the Reich government is a hundred years old. The general staff is several hu…

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  2. I think of these things frequently, because I know the German people. Among them might arise the legend of Hitler, because Hitler was not heard from in this tr…

    Permalink to quote #16
  3. I feel that I am obligated to my people - that is not pessimism. If I tried to prove that I was innocent, it would be the same as trying to prove that the Germ…

    Permalink to quote #13

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