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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker regrets that his loyalty and obedience were used for bad purposes he could not foresee.
In plain terms
My dedication was used for wrong ends I did not see coming.
What can you take from it?
Recognize that blind loyalty can have unintended consequences.

Where it applies

  • military service
  • corporate loyalty
  • political allegiance

Putting it to work

  • assess goals before serving
  • stay informed of purpose

Questions to consider

  • How far should loyalty go?
  • What defines a limit to duty?

Another view

He accepts blame for not seeing limits to duty.

More from Wilhelm Keitel

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