Similarly, the defendant Frank was not asked decisive questions. For example, when Frank was asked what he knew of the Jewish murders, he said, 'You could smell it.' That is a complete lie and a dishonesty. Frank could not only smell it, he knew about it. There he was, the governor general of Poland - he couldn't just have smelled it, he must have known it. The rest of the trial is without any importance.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Frank argues he knew about Jewish murders beyond just smelling it, accusing himself of lying during the trial.
- In plain terms
- He says he lied about only smelling the crimes when he actually knew.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-admitted lies in court undermine credibility.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people deny facts?
- What matters more truth or protection?
Another view
Self-criticism may still be strategic rather than fully genuine.
More from Hans Frank
Hitler is lonely. So is God. Hitler is like God.
Permalink to quote #21 A governor general of Poland who reigned but did not rule.
Permalink to quote #23 A thousand years will pass and still this guilt of Germany will not have been erased.
Permalink to quote #20
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