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Hypnosis Quote by Tadeusz Borowski

“But this is how it is done: first just one ordinary barn, brightly whitewashed—and here they proceed to asphyxiate people. Later, four large buildings, accommodating twenty thousand at a time without any trouble. No hocus-pocus, no poison, no hypnosis. Only several men directing traffic to keep…” quote by Tadeusz Borowski
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““But this is how it is done: first just one ordinary barn, brightly whitewashed—and here they proceed to asphyxiate people. Later, four large buildings, accommodating twenty thousand at a time without any trouble. No hocus-pocus, no poison, no hypnosis. Only several men directing traffic to keep operations running smoothly, and the thousands flow along like water from an open tap. All this happens just beyond the anaemic trees of the dusty little wood. Ordinary trucks bring people, return, then bring some more. No hocus-pocus, no poison, no hypnosis. Why is it that nobody cries out, nobody spits in their faces, nobody jumps at their throats? We doff our caps to the S.S. men returning from the little wood; if our name is called we obediently go with them to die, and—we do nothing. We starve, we are drenched by rain, we are torn from our families. What is this mystery? This strange power of one man over another? This insane passivity that cannot be overcome? Our only strength is our great number—the gas chambers cannot accommodate all of us.””

Tadeusz Borowski

About This Quote

The passage depicts the dehumanizing efficiency of mass murder, highlighting passive complicity and the horror of systematic killing.

In simple terms: It describes how ordinary people become part of deadly bureaucracy.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and resist systemic evil.

Themes

war dehumanization bureaucracy

Mood

somber disturbing

Type

historical ethical

When to use this quote

  • history education
  • human rights advocacy
  • ethical training

Key Concepts

genocide psychology of obedience ethical failure

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does ordinary routine enable atrocity?
  • What can individuals do to break passive compliance?
A Different Perspective

Understanding may be emotionally overwhelming.

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