Believe Quote by Martin Niemoller
“What should we do? We have no wish to interrupt the destroyer's work of saving lives... But war is war and the people being picked up out of the water are soldiers bound for the front; soldiers who are to shoot at our German brothers... The question whether we are to perish in despair or defiance, or survive all trails with a live conscience, depends wholly and solely on whether we believe in the forgiveness of sins. This 25th January was the turning point in my life, because it opened my eyes to the utter impossibility of a moral universe.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown wartime address, 1945
A moral dilemma about saving lives versus aiding enemies, emphasizing forgiveness and conscience.
In simple terms: Choosing between saving lives and moral conscience.
Key Takeaway
Weigh conscience against survival.
Themes
morality
war
forgiveness
conscience
survival
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- wartime rescue
- ethical decision‑making
- personal conscience
Key Concepts
ethical conflict
humanitarian duty
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can forgiveness guide wartime choices?
- What conscience means in survival?
A Different Perspective
Forgiveness may be impossible in war.
