One of them declared: 'Doing this work, one either goes…
““One of them declared: 'Doing this work, one either goes crazy the first day or gets accustomed to it.' Another, though: 'Certainly I could have killed myself or got myself killed; but I wanted to survive, to avenge myself and bear witness. You mustn't think that we are monsters; we are the same as you, only much more unhappy.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Survival amid horror forces a paradox: becoming both victim and witness, yet retaining humanity.
In simple terms: Surviving atrocity leaves deep unhappiness.
Key Takeaway
Hold onto humanity despite suffering.
Themes
survival
humanity
trauma
Mood
grave
hopeful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- war zones
- genocide remembrance
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance survival with moral integrity?
- What does bearing witness mean for you?
A Different Perspective
Survivors may be judged as monsters.