When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat. When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist. When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ignoring persecution of others removes collective resistance when you are targeted.
- In plain terms
- If you ignore attacks on others, no one remains to protest against you.
- What can you take from it?
- Resist injustice early to maintain allies.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When did you remain silent?
- Who benefits from your silence?
Another view
The quote exists in many slightly different forms.
More from Martin Niemoller
In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn't sp…
Permalink to quote #2 First the Nazis came: First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out- because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did …
Permalink to quote #4 Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist. Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war …
Permalink to quote #1
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Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist. Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war …
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Evo MoralesEvo Morales quote #2 First silence. Then denial. Then support of the insupportable. Then vilification of the dissenters. The pattern is as old as time.
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