A Powerful Quotation: Tell-tale Signs Of A Dictator In The Making
by Gene Griessman, Ph.D
Here’s a remarkable description of Hitler that you may be able to use in your writing or speeches. I have Garrison Keillor and “The Writer’s Almanac” to thank for discovering this remarkable piece.
In 1922 an American writer by the name of Janet Flanner took a trip to Paris, and decided to settle there. Harold Ross asked Flanner if she would write for his new publication that he named The New Yorker. She once said that of all the work she did for the magazine, she was most proud of her 1936 piece on Hitler, entitled “Fuhrer.”
(Many resders find similarities between Trump and Hitler in this article, and with good reason. Despite some obvious differences, there are also deeply troubling parallels.)
This piece was written when many world leaders were taken in by Hitler and were praising his accomplishments. An excerpt from Flanner’s piece on Hitler is below.
“Being self-taught, his mental processes are mysterious; he is missionary-minded; his thinking is emotional, his conclusions material. He has been studious with strange results: he says he regards liberalism as a form of tyranny, hatred and attack as part of man’s civic virtues, and equality of men as immoral and against nature. Since he is a concentrated, introspective dogmatist, he is uninformed by exterior criticism.
On the other hand, he is a natural and masterly advertiser, a phenomenal propagandist within his limits, the greatest mob orator in German annals, and one of the most inventive organizers in European history. He believes in intolerance as a pragmatic principle. He accepts violence as a detail of state, he says mercy is not his affair with men, yet he is kind to dumb animals. … His moods change often, his opinions never. Since the age of twenty, they have been mainly anti-Semitic, anti-Communist, anti-suffrage, and Pan-German. He has a fine library of six thousand volumes, yet he never reads; books would do him no good — his mind is made up.“
You will almost certainly not be able to use this profile in its entirety in a speech. It is much too long for that. Speeches generally require pithy quotes that can be readily grasped by an audience. For an article or book, you have much more latitude.
We have bolded several sentences and phrases that you might be able to use. Possibilities include how dictators regard liberalism, the nature of dogmatism, and the dangers of a closed mind. My personal favorite is: “…he never reads; books would do him no good — his mind is made up.”
Don’t get embarrassed using a spurious Lincoln quote. Every quotation in this book is authentic.
“This is a book to cherish and share.”—Bill Marriott, CEO, Marriott International, Inc.
“Not only does Griessman give us Lincoln quotes, but he also weaves each one into a little jewel of an essay on that particular subject.” Wayne C. Temple, renowned Lincoln scholar, Illinois State Archives
A stirring, inspirational treasury of quotations from our greatest and most admired president, the book offers rich material for interpretation, reflection, and spiritual guidance.
You will also enjoy Lincoln Speaks To Leaders by Gene Griessman and Pat Williams.
Don’t leave yet. You’re in a goldmine. Check out the great power phrases and unusual quotations. You’re already here. Why rush off?
Gene Griessman is an internationally known keynote speaker, actor, and communication strategist. His book “TheWords Lincoln Lived By” is in its 23rd printing and “Time Tactics of Very Successful People” is in its 43rd printing. His training video “Lincoln on Communication” is owned by thousands of corporations, libraries, and government organizations. He has spoken at conventions and annual meetings all over the world. To learn more about his presentations, call 404-435-2225. Learn more at Atlanta Speakers Bureau or at his website. His latest book “Lincoln and Obama” has just been released by Audible.