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The Jews, I find, are very, very selfish. They care not…

“The Jews, I find, are very, very selfish. They care not how many Estonians, Latvians, Finns, Poles, Yugoslavs or Greeks get murdered or mistreated as Displaced Persons as long as the Jews get special treatment. Yet when they have power, physical, financial or political neither Hitler nor Stalin…” quote by Harry S. Truman
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“The Jews, I find, are very, very selfish. They care not how many Estonians, Latvians, Finns, Poles, Yugoslavs or Greeks get murdered or mistreated as Displaced Persons as long as the Jews get special treatment. Yet when they have power, physical, financial or political neither Hitler nor Stalin has anything on them for cruelty or mistreatment to the under dog. Put an underdog on top and it makes no difference whether his name is Russian, Jewish, Negro, Management, Labor, Mormon, Baptist he goes haywire. I've found very, very few who remember their past condition when prosperity comes.”

Harry S. Truman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker criticizes perceived Jewish selfishness, suggesting that when marginalized groups gain power they become oppressive, ignoring past suffering.

In simple terms: Power can corrupt any group, regardless of history.

Key Takeaway

Beware of power’s corrupting influence.

Themes

politics ethics group dynamics historical memory prejudice

Mood

critical reflective concerned

Type

political social commentary

When to use this quote

  • political leadership
  • social movements
  • historical analysis
  • policy making

Key Concepts

authoritarianism collectivism identity politics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards prevent power from corrupting any group?
  • How can societies remember past injustices while fostering equity?
A Different Perspective

The statement is a sweeping generalization that fuels anti-Semitic stereotypes.

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