Skip to content
quotesby

Did I ever tell you about Goebbels? He incurred Hitler's disapproval after that incident with the movie actress for which he was beaten up. That clubfooted fanatic! He forced women to submit to him sexually because of his powerful position. He influenced Hitler to become anti-Semitic more than Hitler had been before. Hitler used to come to my house once in a while for a cup of coffee, and because I led a normal life, he would leave about nine o'clock. I was in the habit of retiring early. However, Hitler used to spend practically all of his nights, sometimes until four a.m., with Goebbels and his family. God knows what evil influence Goebbels had on him during those long visits.

Joseph Goebbels#32

PoliticsPowerLeadershipHistoryCorruptionInfluence

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims Goebbels influenced Hitler negatively through personal misconduct.
In plain terms
Goebbels had a bad influence on Hitler.
What can you take from it?
Watch who influences your leaders.

Where it applies

  • politics
  • leadership
  • personal conduct

Putting it to work

  • audit influences
  • maintain boundaries
  • observe leaders

Questions to consider

  • Who influences your decisions?
  • How do leaders change?

Another view

This is a second-hand claim without evidence.

More from Joseph Goebbels

  1. I always had the feeling that Goebbels didn't respect people as a whole. He was reckless in his contacts in his own office. He had no consideration for anyone.…

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. Goebbels was the strongest representative of anti-Semitism. He saw his big chance to become powerful by using the press for anti-Semitic reasons. Personally, I…

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. I met him several times. He was clever, fanatic; having a clubfoot he might have suffered a minority inferiority complex, knowing that because of his physical …

    Permalink to quote #30

Related quotes

  1. [Alan Cranston] understood power not as a reflection of status but as a tool with a purpose.' - Sen. Joseph Biden December 31, 2000 on Meet the Press

    Alan CranstonAlan Cranston quote #1
  2. The eminence cerise, the bolster behind the throne.

    Will SelfWill Self quote #2
  3. When I was a fighting-man, the kettle-drums they beat, The people scattered gold-dust before my horses feet; But now I am a great king, the people hound my tra…

    Robert E. HowardRobert E. Howard quote #2