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About this quote

What does it mean?
Claims Himmler was the most feared man in Germany, even by loyal Germans.
In plain terms
Everyone in Germany was afraid of Himmler, even his supporters.
What can you take from it?
Fear was universal, even among loyalists.

Where it applies

  • dictatorship
  • political climate
  • reputation building

Putting it to work

  • analyzing political fear
  • historical study
  • understanding power

Questions to consider

  • Is loyalty based on fear reliable?
  • How does fear sustain regimes?

Another view

Fear often masks the limits of true loyalty.

More from Heinrich Himmler

  1. In Krakow, a Criminal Police officer, over fifty years of age, shook hands with a Jew. Himmler was informed and ordered a two-year term in Dachau for this empl…

    Permalink to quote #23

  2. Himmler hated Poles and Slavs and was quite capable of not only making such a statement but of putting it into practice if given the opportunity.

    Permalink to quote #25

  3. He was not a man who was hard-hearted in the sight of blood. He was hard-hearted by reason of a fanatic ideology. But he was undoubtedly soft and cowardly.

    Permalink to quote #22

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