Pohl I did not know at all except, of course, that I had heard of him and perhaps I did see him occasionally at the Fuhrer's headquarters or at large meetings. But that a man could be in charge of all the concentration camps in Germany, Himmler's right-hand man without a doubt, making him one of the great criminals of our age - what sort of man is he? Does he talk? Does he proclaim innocence like Kaltenbrunner? I really can't understand such people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker expresses confusion about the nature of high-ranking criminals he knew only superficially.
- In plain terms
- I knew him slightly but cannot understand how a man like him became so criminal.
- What can you take from it?
- Superficial knowledge of leaders can hide their true nature.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do criminals hide in plain sight?
- What does it mean to not know a criminal?
Another view
The speaker claims confusion despite serving under the regime.
More from Oswald Pohl
Ach! If Hitler had given me an immoral order I would have refused. Think of it! To break teeth out of a dead body! Think of it! Why, if I had been only a simpl…
Permalink to quote #11 Oswald Pohl was an extremely sensitive and intellectual individual who was reduced to a broken man in the course of his trial.
Permalink to quote #13 The exploitation of labor must be applied to the highest possible limits so that the job results in the rendered principle.
Permalink to quote #10
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