Quote#Politics & Power
I look upon the people and nation handed on to me as a responsibility…
Quote byWilhelm II · 1859–1941
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: My Ideas and Ideals, (p. 13).
English (original)
I look upon the people and nation handed on to me as a responsibility conferred upon me by God, and that it is, as is written in the Bible, my duty to increase this heritage, for which one day I shall be called upon to give an account; those who try to interfere with my task I shall crush.
— Wilhelm II
More from Wilhelm II
You [recruits] have sworn loyalty to me. You have only one enemy and that is my enemy. In the present social confusion, it may come about that I order you to shoot down your own relatives, brothers or parents but even then you must follow …
The soldier and the army, not Parliamentary majorities and decisions, have welded the German Empire together. I put my trust in the army.
There is only one person who is master in this Empire and I am not going to tolerate any other.
When I have to act or think I always ask myself the question: What does the Bible say in similar circumstances? The Bible is for me a spring whence I draw strength and light.
I regard every Social Democrat as an enemy of the Empire and Fatherland.
I am just now not reading but devouring Captain Mahan's book and am trying to learn it by heart. It is a first-class book and classical on all points.