Quotes from Martin Niemoller

One thing is clear, the president of North Vietnam is not a fanatic. He is a very strong and determined man, but capable of listening, something that is very rare in a person of his position.

Don't let your life wait for other people.

A man doesn't realize how much he can stand until he is put to the test. You can stand far more than you think you can. You are much stronger than you think you are.

It took me a long time to understand that God is not the enemy of my enemies. God is not even the enemy of God's enemies.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up for me.

Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist. Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat. Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten, habe ich nicht protestiert; ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter. Als sie die Juden holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Jude. Als sie mich holten, gab es keinen mehr, der protestierte.

Tell me how much you have entered into the suffering of those around you, and I will tell you how much you love them.

First, they came for the Communists And I did not speak out because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And by then there was no one left to speak out for me

A man doesn't realize how much he can stand until he is put to the test. You can stand far more than you think you can. You are much stronger than you think you are. If you can laugh at yourself, you are going to be fine. If you allow others to laugh with you, you will be great.

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Ask the first man you meet what he means by defending freedom, and he'll tell you privately he means defending the standard of living.

For it is, and must remain, the case that we must obey God rather than man.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.

More than fifty-five years ago my father told me, "The Bible does not belong on the shelf but in your hand, under your eye, and in your heart."

When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat.