First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – for I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out – for 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 out.

— Martin Niemoller, German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor, 1892-1984

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – for I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out – for 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 out.

— Martin Niemoller, German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor, 1892-1984

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

— Confucius, Chinese philosopher and teacher, c. 551-478 BCE

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – for I was not a socialistThen they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out – for I was not a trade unionistThen they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a JewThen they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out.

— Martin Niemoller, German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor, 1892-1984

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox, author and poet, 1850-1919

There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice.

— Mark Twain, U.S. writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer, 1835-1910
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