Oskar Schindler Quotes

I was now resolved to do everything in my power to defeat the system.

The persecution of Jews in occupied Poland meant that we could see horror emerging gradually in many ways. In 1939, they were forced to wear Jewish stars, and people were herded and shut up into ghettos. Then, in the years '41 and '42 there was plenty of public evidence of pure sadism. With people behaving like pigs, I felt the Jews were being destroyed. I had to help them. There was no choice.

If you saw a dog going to be crushed under a car, wouldn’t you help him?

I had to help them. There was no choice.

I knew the people who worked for me. When you know people, you have to behave towards them like human beings.

I am the conscience of all those who knew something - but did nothing.

Power is when you have every justification to kill someone, and then you don't.

I hated the brutality, the sadism, and the insanity of Nazism. I just couldn't stand by and see people destroyed. I did what I could, what I had to do, what my conscience told me I must do. That's all there is to it. Really, nothing more.