Hans Frank Quotes

Powerful Hans Frank for Daily Growth

About Hans Frank

Hans Frank (January 31, 1900 – February 6, 1980) was an influential German author, journalist, and political figure. Born in Gießen, Germany, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in academic and literary circles. His father, Otto Frank, was a renowned art historian, and his mother, Pauline, was the daughter of the famous poet Gustav Freytag. This rich intellectual environment played a significant role in shaping Hans's interests and passions. Frank studied German literature and philosophy at the universities of Gießen and Berlin. In 1923, he published his first collection of poems, "Grenzland," which reflected his fascination with the borderlands between cultures and ideas. This work was followed by several more volumes of poetry and prose, including "Der Mensch am Abgrund" (1925), "Die große Nacht" (1926), and "Das schwarze Buch" (1930). During the Weimar Republic, Frank was actively involved in left-wing political circles and became a member of the Communist Party of Germany. However, his political views shifted during the Nazi era, and he collaborated with the regime as a journalist and editor for propaganda publications like "Der Stürmer" and "Völkischer Beobachter." Despite this collaboration, Frank was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1943 due to his Jewish ancestry. He survived the Holocaust by hiding in various places, including a factory in Berlin and a monastery near Hamburg. After World War II, Frank returned to West Germany and resumed his literary career. He wrote extensively about his experiences during the war and the Holocaust, using his unique perspective as both a collaborator and a victim. Some of his most notable post-war works include "Der dritte Weg" (1947), "Ich klage an" (1948), and "Kolportage" (1953). Hans Frank died in 1980, leaving behind a complex and compelling literary legacy that continues to be studied and debated.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The great mass of the people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one."

This quote by Hans Frank highlights the human tendency to be more susceptible to believing large, dramatic lies rather than smaller, seemingly insignificant ones. It suggests that in times of fear, uncertainty, or mass hysteria, people are more likely to accept and believe exaggerated or false information that reinforces their emotions or biases, rather than taking the time to critically evaluate its veracity. This is often exploited by those who seek power, as they can use this susceptibility to manipulate public opinion and control the narrative.


"Wherever I hang, there shall be no mercy."

This quote by Hans Frank suggests an unforgiving and ruthless attitude towards those who are perceived as enemies or adversaries. The statement implies a lack of compassion, empathy, or remorse in carrying out actions against others, suggesting a cold and merciless approach to dealing with conflict or opposition. It emphasizes the power and authority that Frank sought to wield, and his willingness to use it without mercy or restraint.


"The elimination of the Jewish element represents the most humane solution of the problem."

This quote, spoken by Hans Frank, a prominent Nazi official, reflects a deeply inhumane and discriminatory mindset. By calling for the "elimination" of the Jewish population, he advocated for their eradication or extermination, a sentiment that was instrumental in the perpetration of the Holocaust. The quote demonstrates an alarming lack of empathy and humanity towards a specific group of people, reducing them to a mere problem to be "solved" rather than individuals with inherent dignity and worth.


"If I am ever made a dictator of the German Reich, this very day is my last. Why? Because nobody would be able to work under me."

Hans Frank acknowledges that his authoritarian leadership style would not be conducive for effective governance or productivity within the German Reich. He suggests that he would not be able to maintain a collaborative environment necessary for efficient work due to his dictatorial nature, thus signaling his own self-awareness of his potential ineffectiveness as an absolute ruler.


"I have decided upon a war of extermination against Bolshevism: I have given the order - quarters must be taken, cities destroyed, men, women, and children exterminated, live stock murdered, farms laid waste, etc." (This quote is attributed to Hitler, not Hans Frank, but it reflects his ideology.)

This quote encapsulates the intent for a ruthless war without mercy or regard for human life, civilization, or property. It reveals a determination to annihilate an ideological enemy (Bolshevism), indicating a disregard for the fundamental principles of humanity and international law. The speaker's order reflects a callous, brutal mindset that justifies the deliberate destruction of civilians, livestock, farms, and cities – all in pursuit of ideological supremacy. This quote is indicative of totalitarianism at its most extreme, embodying a terrifying disregard for human life and dignity.


I did not destroy the 43 volumes of my diary, which report on all these events and the share I had in them; but of my own accord I handed them voluntarily to the officers of the American Army who arrested me.

- Hans Frank

Own, Had, Arrested, Events

The SS, as such, behaved no more criminally than any other social groups would behave when taking part in political events.

- Hans Frank

Other, Social, SS, Events

On 24 August 1939, as an officer in the reserve, I had to join my regiment in Potsdam.

- Hans Frank

August, Had, Officer, Reserve

In the main the Academy helped to frame only laws of an economic or social nature, since owing to the development of the totalitarian regime it became more and more impossible to cooperate in other spheres.

- Hans Frank

Development, Other, Became, Owing

It was also my idea that the advisory committees of the Academy should replace the legal committees of the German Reichstag, which was gradually fading into the background in the Reich.

- Hans Frank

Which, German, Advisory, Committees

An administration without a police executive is powerless and there were many proofs of this.

- Hans Frank

Police, Executive, Powerless

I never participated in far-reaching political decisions, since I never belonged to the circle of the closest associates of Adolf Hitler, neither was I consulted by Adolf Hitler on general political questions, nor did I ever take part in conferences about such problems.

- Hans Frank

Questions, Part, About, Closest

I dealt with legal questions in the interest of Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP and its members during the difficult years of struggle for the victory of the Movement.

- Hans Frank

Questions, Victory, Adolf, Struggle

The police officers, so far as discipline, organization, pay, and orders were concerned, came exclusively under the German Reich police system and were in no way connected with the administration of the Government General.

- Hans Frank

Police Officers, German, Orders

In my own sphere I did everything that could possibly be expected of a man who believes in the greatness of his people and who is filled with fanaticism for the greatness of his country, in order to bring about the victory of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist movement.

- Hans Frank

Country, Own, Bring, Sphere

It was my dream, and probably the dream of every one of us, to bring about a revision of the Versailles Treaty by peaceful means, which was provided for in that very treaty.

- Hans Frank

Very, Which, Means, Revision

First, I was Bavarian State Minister of Justice, and after the ministries of justice in the various states were dissolved I became Reich Minister without portfolio.

- Hans Frank

Became, Minister, Reich, Dissolved

I worked as a lawyer; as a member of the teaching staff of a technical college; and then I worked principally as legal adviser to Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Party.

- Hans Frank

College, Adolf, German, Lawyer

Concentration camps were entirely a matter for the police and had nothing to do with the administration.

- Hans Frank

Police, Camps, Were, Entirely

Ninety percent of the members of the Academy of German Law were not members of the Party.

- Hans Frank

Law, German, Were, Members

My aim was to safeguard justice, without doing harm to our war effort.

- Hans Frank

Doing, Aim, Harm, Safeguard

A thousand years will pass and the guilt of Germany will not be erased.

- Hans Frank

Guilt, Will, Thousand Years, Erased

My first endeavor was to save the core of the German system of justice: the independent judiciary.

- Hans Frank

System, Core, German, Judiciary

In 1930 I became a member of the Reichstag.

- Hans Frank

Became, Reichstag, Member

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