Discovering witnesses is just as important as catching criminals.
Simon WiesenthalRead
For me the Holocaust was not only a Jewish tragedy, but also a human tragedy. After the war, when I saw that the Jews were talking only about the tragedy of six million Jews, I sent letters to Jewish organizations asking them to talk also about the millions of others who were persecuted with us together - many of them only because they helped Jews.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Holocaust is a shared tragedy that affected all of humanity, not just Jews.
Simon Wiesenthal emphasizes that the Holocaust represents a universal tragedy that extends beyond just the six million Jewish victims to include countless others who suffered or died, often for their compassion in aiding Jews. He advocates for recognizing the broader human suffering caused by such atrocities, urging Jewish organizations to acknowledge the diversity of victims who experienced persecution alongside the Jewish community.
Themes
HolocaustTragedyHumanityPersecutionEmpathy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about human rights, one might say, 'As Simon Wiesenthal reflects, we must remember that tragedies affect us all.'
More from Simon Wiesenthal
All quotes →Justice for crimes against humanity must have no limitations.
Simon WiesenthalRead
My cause was justice, not vengeance. My work is for a better tomorrow and a more secure future for our children and grandchildren.
Simon WiesenthalRead
The schools would fail through their silence, the Church through its forgiveness, and the home through the denial and silence of the parents. The new generation has to hear what the older generation refuses to tell it.
Simon WiesenthalRead
We know that we are not collectively guilty, so how can we accuse any other nation, no matter what some of its people have done, of being collectively guilty?
Simon WiesenthalRead
Human rights is the only ideology that deserves to survive
Simon WiesenthalRead
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We must not allow the horrific actions of madmen to cut us off from our humanity.
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I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.
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