--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Normally the great men that we admire…" description: "\"Normally the great men that we admire from a distance lose their magic when one knows them well. With Hitler the opposite is true.\" — Rudolf Hess" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/492/rudolf-hess-38008_admire_normally-the-great-men-that-we-admire-fr_2334500.png" --- # Normally the great men that we admire from a distance lose… ![“Normally the great men that we admire from a distance lose their magic when one knows them well. With Hitler the opposite is true.” quote by Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/492/rudolf-hess-38008_admire_normally-the-great-men-that-we-admire-fr_2334500.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/492/rudolf-hess-38008_admire_normally-the-great-men-that-we-admire-fr_2334500.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/492/rudolf-hess-38008_admire_normally-the-great-men-that-we-admire-fr_2334500.png) > “Normally the great men that we admire from a distance lose their magic when one knows them well. With Hitler the opposite is true.” [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admiration fades when personal knowledge reveals flaws; some figures become more repulsive upon closer inspection. **In simple terms:** Knowing people can ruin their mystique. Key Takeaway Seek truth over myth. Themes perception hero worship disillusionment Mood cynical reflective Type critical analytical When to use this quote - political history - personal relationships - media analysis Key Concepts psychology human nature Questions to Reflect On - How does proximity change your view of a role model? - Can admiration survive factual knowledge? A Different Perspective Not all revered individuals are worthy of admiration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hitler/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) ## Related quotes > [The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-marie-roland/the-more-i-see-of-men-the-more-i-admire-dogs/) Jeanne-Marie Roland > [“Crafty men condemn studies; Simple men admire them; And wise men use them: For they teach not their own use: but that is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/crafty-men-condemn-studies-simple-men-admire-them-and-wise-men-use/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“Plus je vois le homes, plus j’admire les chiens” (The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-roland/plus-je-vois-le-homes-plus-j-admire-les-chiens-the-more-i-see-of-men/) [Madame Roland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-roland/) > [If you want my views of history, there's something you should know. The three men I admire the most are Curly, Larry, and Mo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meat-loaf/if-you-want-my-views-of-history-there-s-something-you-should-know-the/) [Meat Loaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meat-loaf/) > [It is the rooted instinct in men to admire what is better and more beautiful than themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/it-is-the-rooted-instinct-in-men-to-admire-what-is-better-and-more/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [I want men to admire me, but that's a trick you learn at school--a movement of the eyes, a tone of voice, a touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/i-want-men-to-admire-me-but-that-s-a-trick-you-learn-at-school-a/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“Nearly all of the men I admire are dead, because admiration is fueled by mystery. And what's more mysterious than death? Nothing. Well, besides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nearly-all-of-the-men-i-admire-are-dead-because-admiration-is-fueled/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Many men admire strong women, but they don't love them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-schiaparelli/many-men-admire-strong-women-but-they-don-t-love-them/) [Elsa Schiaparelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-schiaparelli/) > [Men admire the man who can organize their wishes and thoughts in stone and wood and steel and brass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-admire-the-man-who-can-organize-their-wishes-and-thoughts-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Most men admire Virtue who follow not her lore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/most-men-admire-virtue-who-follow-not-her-lore/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [All men do not admire and delight in the same objects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/all-men-do-not-admire-and-delight-in-the-same-objects/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Little by little the look of the country changes because of the men we admire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-douglas/little-by-little-the-look-of-the-country-changes-because-of-the-men/) Melvyn Douglas > [Many men admire strong women but they don't love them. Some women succeed at being strong and also tender, but most of those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-schiaparelli/many-men-admire-strong-women-but-they-don-t-love-them-some-women/) [Elsa Schiaparelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-schiaparelli/) > [“Your nakedness is the work of God the Creator. Let men admire it--and grow religious between your sheets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elspeth-marr/your-nakedness-is-the-work-of-god-the-creator-let-men-admire-it-and/) [Elspeth Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elspeth-marr/) > [The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs. - Jeanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-roland/the-more-i-see-of-men-the-more-i-admire-dogs-jeanne/) [Madame Roland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-roland/) ## More by Rudolf Hess > [I hope that the outside world will realise that Hitler's government has no idea of steering towards war, even though this has often been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/i-hope-that-the-outside-world-will-realise-that-hitler-s-government/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [Hitler is simply pure reason incarnate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/hitler-is-simply-pure-reason-incarnate/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [History is not ended. It will sooner or later take up the threads apparently broken off forever and knit them together in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/history-is-not-ended-it-will-sooner-or-later-take-up-the-threads/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [We all believe we have found the finest of diktat that applies our perfect future, but do we believe the world needs referees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/we-all-believe-we-have-found-the-finest-of-diktat-that-applies-our/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [Certainly, I signed a statement that I killed two and a half million Jews. But I could just as well have said that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/certainly-i-signed-a-statement-that-i-killed-two-and-a-half-million/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [My coming to England in this way is, as I realize, so unusual that nobody will easily understand it. I was confronted by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/my-coming-to-england-in-this-way-is-as-i-realize-so-unusual-that/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [National Socialism would have every German decide for himself on spiritual questions, just as in the days of Frederick the Great. The National Socialist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/national-socialism-would-have-every-german-decide-for-himself-on/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [Woe to the people that fails to honor its heroes! It will cease producing them, cease knowing them. Heroes spring from the essence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/woe-to-the-people-that-fails-to-honor-its-heroes-it-will-cease/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [Hitler's strength as a leader is that he almost always works through the power of his persuasion; rarely does he command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/hitler-s-strength-as-a-leader-is-that-he-almost-always-works-through/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [The dogmatist will listen to everyone's opinion, and then affirm to himself his godliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/the-dogmatist-will-listen-to-everyone-s-opinion-and-then-affirm-to/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [How often has Hitler said to me: 'I know that my decision or action is correct. I cannot explain at the moment why, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/how-often-has-hitler-said-to-me-i-know-that-my-decision-or-action-is/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) [Explore all 12 Rudolf Hess quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/) [Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/) Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Normally the great men that we admire from a distance lose their magic when one knows them well. 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