Heinrich Hoffmann Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Adolf Hitler's life style is simple.
He never drinks alcohol and does not smoke."

by:	Heinrich Hoffmann (1885-1957) German photographer, best known for his many published photographs of Adolf Hitler
Source:	Hitler wie ihn keiner kennt (Berlin: "Zeitgeschichte" Verlag, 1932), quoted at www.calvin.edu/cas/gpa/hitler2.htm.
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Categories:	Alcohol, Drugs, Fascism, Health, Nazi, Prohibition, Smoking, Statism
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Reader comments about this quote:

My limited experience is that many Germans are "mean sobers" -- i.e. they are only pleasant after they have had a beer or two. Obviously, Hitler arrived at this state. -- Rick Z, Heartland, USA
Hitler was also rabidly Christian. A clean, sober, non-smoking Christian - what could be more 'moral'? He was a genuine 'role model' when you spin the 'facts' correctly. There are more than a few of those around, even today. You can tell them from the sane members of society by their mindless soapbox diatribes about 'morality', 'ambition', 'God', 'envy', 'faith', 'perversion', and a host of other 'talking points'. Personally, I'll take a 'Clinton' having a little 'nookie' over a 'Hitler' having a little holocaust any time. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
In fact, Hitler was not Christian. Having ties with a church does not make one a Christian. Making such claims as those above of Terry Berg, however, does make one a slanderer. -- David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood
Hitler was raised a Catholic. As far as I can ascertain, excommunication is still the exclusive purview of the Roman Catholic Church and not that of self-appointed individuals eager to pass judgement. The Vatican's Pope & bishops never disowned him. Instead they blessed him. In the protestant world, a person is Christian if they say they are - period. It's between them and their god not between them and their critics - even if their critics have a point - even if their critics have an EXCELLENT point. HITLER: "In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders." -Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922 (Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19-20, Oxford University Press, 1942) Actually, 'slander' is an ORAL function: Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation. 2. A false and malicious statement or report about someone. - AHD 'Libel', on the other hand, is a written function: A false publication in writing, printing, or typewriting or in signs or pictures that maliciously damages a person's reputation. b. The act or an instance of presenting such a statement to the public. - AHD The key words for both definitions are 'false', 'malicious', and 'person'. There's no mention of 'group' or 'group(s) with crazy views'. Careless expression implies careless thinking. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
Either way, what do drinking and smoking have to do with anything? One can abstain strictly on the grounds that it is bad for one's health. I'm not a Christian, or religious at all for that matter. I don't smoke anymore. I only drink on occasion, and the occasions are getting fewer and farther between. Whats your point? -- Anonymous, Raleigh, NC
Anon, Raleigh: Point taken. Thanks. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
Hitler WAS a professed Christian and he used this to manipulate the society he lived into doing horrible things in the name of God. This bothers me because I have wondered just how an entire country of Germans could be manipulated into believing and supporting such attrocities. Hitler, through history, has been blamed for burning the Reichstag and blaming the Russians as a method to start the war - He played "the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing" tactics with the people. Whenever anything questionable came against him that would expose him - he simply called for the loyalty of his country, condemned the foreign foe for attacking his country (the Riechstag), and promoted his propaganda as God's will. George Washington stated that the two pillars of any government are religion and morality and if they must be joined together - if only one of these are taken away, government will fall - you can't have religion without morality. Hitler wasn't a Christian anymore than I'm a vegatarian (I can claim Vegetarianism all day long but I still love to eat meat and do so regularly; therefore, I'm not a REAL Vegetarian now, am I?) and it doesn't matter what he called himself, he didn't stand upon both Religion AND Morality... Nor, do I believe, did his people - for this reason, it was easy for him to manipulate the citizens of Germany because in their lives they had divorced these two pillars from each other. The scary thing, based upon this premise, things in America aren't looking so good. -- Logan, Memphis, TN
It DOES sound eerily familiar, doesn't it? Since Christianity isn't testable like, say, eating meat and claiming you're a vegetarian, and considering that the ONLY thing that makes a person a 'Christian' is the fact that they say so, and NOT what they do, Hitler was, by definition, a 'Christian'. If only the folks recognized by other individuals as 'virtous' were allowed to be 'Christian', there would be precious few, if any 'Christians' running about, wouldn't there? You or I don't get to pick and choose unless of course you're 'God'. I'm not quite up to making THAT leap unless you show me a couple of really cool, spectacular 'miracles' maybe - LOL. Just curious - what's your George Washington reference source? PS to Anon, Raleigh: This quote original purpose was, as part of his propaganda machine, to illustrate what a simple, virtuous man Hitler was. 'Drinking' (alcoholic beverages) and smoking were, at that time regarded as vices prevalent in decadent places like Berlin. Being pious was also highly valued at the time, as it is today, at least by profession of ones 'faith'. Hence, the reference to 'Christianity' as a 'virtue'. Not much has changed. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
The George Washington source is his Farewell Address - a speech that's now illegal in public schools because it mentions God. As for defining a Christian - absolutely you can define them by what they DO. Christianity has a set of moral virtues of adherence (as does most religion) - a simple profession of association to a group does not classify as a party of that group. Especially of Christianity - "By their fruits ye shall know them". Christianity IS testable by the principles of, let's say, the Bible - It only takes a village idiot to look at a person's actions and see if they practice what they preach. Atheism has been classified as a non-belief in God or a structured set of moral values - as such, all a person would HAVE to do is claim Atheism and that is that. However, with Christianity, along with any other structured religion, it is easy to determine if that person is true to what they say due to their actions and conduct in accord to what they say they believe in. -- Logan, Memphis, TN
Thanks for the reference. I found the text helpful. I happen to think, if it's true, that it's absurd to ban any text, from any school, under any circumstance, if it's not being used to proselytize. Everyone, just by virtue of history if for no other reason, really needs to understand the role of religion in society. I also appreciate tradition - it's as much history as any weighty tome. Christianity may, inside of its own paradigm, be testable -but only by God alone - NOT by mere mortals OR the village idiot. WE don't get to judge - unless, of course, we're eager to breach Christian teaching - which would make us - what? Are we now willing to breach our own teachings to justify our personal views. Pardon my noticing, but that's just exactly what you've accused Hitler of doing. I'm not contending that Hitler had integrity or that he was honest. I'm clearly convinced he was anything but honest. I'm contending that by the tenets of Christianity itself, no one gets to judge another. OUTSIDE ... of Christian tenets ... we get to judge all we want - to our heart's content - till the cows come home - pick your allusion. \| Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. \| Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: ... Once individuals resort to 'culling' members of religions on their own, the exercise boils down to name calling - it changes nothing, least of all the Biblical teachings that warn against and forbid such postures and behaviors. You don't get to play God if you're Christian. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
I think that any quotes pertaining to Adolf Hitler are unnecessary, in poor taste and boring. I have told you this before and you continue to quote him or use quotes about him. I gave you one pass and now I will unsubscribe to your service. You won. I used to regularly send your quotes to others. That will not happen any longer since I will not be a subscriber. I have no idea how you support this service but if it has anything to do with subscriptions, you just lost another. Your position is that you do not take any position, you simply provide the quotes. That is naive. Your position is that Hitler should not be forgotten so history does not repeat itself. That indicates that you are suffering from a severe case of delusional thinking. Trust me, the world won't forget about Adolf Hitler if your service stops mentioning him; I promise. So now you have at least one less subscriber. You win. -- Teddy B, South Florida
Teddy B: We provide these quotes as food for 'free-thought', and you have the option to subscribe to daily quotes or not. Since we sell nothing, there is nothing to lose except people who do not want to hear it any more. In fact, if we did depend on your financial support, we might then be forced to choose quotes more politically correct for our sponsors. Thankfully, that is not the case. As far as Hitler goes, there are just too many disturbing similarities between Hitler's policies leading to the takeover of Germany and what is happening in the world today -- particularly in America. There may be some who wish to close their eyes and ears to this fact, but we at Liberty Quotes simply cannot. Personally, I do not think we have talked nearly enough about Hitler, the Nazis, and fascism -- are Americans any more prepared to resist fascism at home than the German people were in the days leading up to Hitler's seizing of Germany? Also, Teddy B., thanks for demonstrating so well the tactics of someone who wants to shut someone else up. Despite having been 'warned' previously by Teddy, we have had the audacity to continue to publish according to our dicatates. This somehow is an insult to someone who not only doesn't want to hear it any more, but doesn't want anyone else to hear it either. Interestingly, it seems Teddy B. is not just interested in censoring us but also in withdrawing his financial support (which, er, is zero) -- he can't figure out how we operate our service but if he could cause us financial harm, he would be pleased. Is this what freedom-loving people do? Beware folks, we have seen the enemy, and it is us. -- Editor, Liberty Quotes
Dear Editor, You make me just want to jump up and cheer 'BRAVO!'. Thank goodness there are brave souls like yourself out there. Your site is a wonderful example of people who promote discussion of subjects which aren't always brought up in 'polite' company but whose airing is a benefit to all. We are all, whether we know it or not, in your debt for your service. Thanks so very much. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
Sensitive, are we? Disturbing similarities...particularly in America." Care to elaborate? And to answer your question, Yes, we are far more prepared to resist facism than pre WW2 Germany was. For starters, our constitution, multiple political parties, free press, our democratic foundation and on and on. Whose eyes are closed? That was quite a leap. "Shut someone up"? I "warned" you? I'm not sure what you are reading but it is clear that you are close minded and have selective reading skills (akin to those with selective recall). I couldn't care less how you operate your service. I couldn't care less who else reads your service. I simply don't want to read about Adolf Hitler and his gang of human waste, during the middle of my day. Financial harm? You most certainly know how to twist one's words, don't you? -- Teddy B, South Florida
Dear Teddy B: We here at Liberty Quotes value differing opinions and encourage open dialogue -- obviously we have the ability to delete posts we don't like; however, we prefer to hear what everyone has to say (even when we disagree). We will soon be implementing a discussion blog for topics like Fascism in America, the Constitution, Democracy, Tolerance, Ignorance, etc. to further discuss these ideas outside of the Quotes feedback sections. I encourage your participation and discussion; however, there may be topics you will not wish to hear (as you have made clear from your original post). I invite you to share your opinions without requiring the censoring of others. You have made it clear that your support (e.g. passing on quotes to others, remaining subscribed to our list) is dependent on never including quotes by or about Hitler. I am sorry that we cannot honor your 'request'. Instead we invite you to consider that to habitually ignore certain things is to practice ignorance -- and to encourage ignorance in others is the exact opposite of what we are trying to do. -- Editor, Liberty Quotes
Teddy (can I Bear this?) So. Flo: "Your position is that Hitler should not be forgotten so history does not repeat itself." - I'm not sure what you are reading but it is clear that you are close (probably indicating 'closed' - who knows?) minded and have creative reading skills (akin to those with creative recall). \|\| "I simply don't want to read about Adolf Hitler and his gang of human waste, during the middle of my day." - Well, let's just all stop holding a gun to your head to make you click on particular links and then proceed to read the contents in the middle of your day. Let's wait till the end of the day to twist your arm, strap you to a chair, and force you to read about things you don't want to read about. \|\| "Trust me, the world won't forget about Adolf Hitler if your service stops mentioning him; I promise. So now you have at least one less subscriber." - We all trust you, don't we, fellow ostriches? \|\| Lord, help me in my hour of need - for I am ROFL, LMFAO and nothing in your kingdom should be THAT funny. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
In another entry on this site Virginia Woolf quotes: If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all. I agree. -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA
Goes to show you just how evil those sober people are. -- Devon, Edmonton, AB
Teddy B. Hitler and history should not be forgotten, and certainly not ignored. The founding father's wrote the Constitution as well as they did because of a knowledge of history. That Constitution is now being ignored and we have come full circle back to the lessons we should never forget that were taught to us by the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Mao. I say this, because history is repeating itself before our very eyes. And we stare like Deer into the headlights... -- J Carlton, Calgary
Terry, there is a huge difference between judging and discerning. Judging would have an an appropriate or relative action attached. Discernment is a mental exercise in personally defining the person by his fruit. The language has become sufficiently corrupt and the statist theocracy's patrons unlawfully immoral that the two terms have almost become interchangeable. Devon from Edmonton (-; I like it ;-) As to the quote, so ? Thats nice. Because Mr. Obomunist Goodwrench smokes, does that make him worse than Hitler? No. Mr. Obomunist Goodwrench's using Hitler's play book to kill freedom and liberty makes him akin to Hitler, but not worse. (yet?) -- Mike, Norwalk
Everyone is forgetting how Hitler's quack of a doctor kept him doped on drugs for his depression until it fried his brain. I feel a moderate drinker would be perferable. -- cal, lewisville, tx
Wow! what a hot topic! Similar to what the Mormons and most religions believe what a coincidence... Well Eric (Editor) you certainly stirred the muddy waters... good to see you back Terry -- RBESRQ
Teddy, our press is free to excoriate conservatives and Christians. When Obama doesn't like how a press member is handling something he complains and the press capitulates. This has happened on numerous occasions. Quite frankly the press is both enamored with and afraid of Obama. This is not a free press any longer. The opposing views found on the air and on the internet are under scrutiny and ways of eliminating that opposition are being advanced constantly in congress. The press it's self is trying to silence opposing views in order to promote the left. I fear it will be soon too late if it is not already. Even if you agree with Obama and love socialism, or "economic justice" as he puts it, you should be concerned at giving the government total control over your life. It is inevitable that with unchecked power it will fall into the hands of someone you do not like. Then where will you be? -- warren, olathe
Robert, are you saying the Harry Reids, Atheists, Buddhists, etc. are like Hitler if they don't smoke or drink? hmm I can understand certain individuals such as Reid but, to point out a whole group(s), is ugly beyond prejudice. I personally know Atheists, Buddhists, Christians, etc. that smoke and drink / do not smoke or drink that love and support freedom and liberty. Why are you singling out Mormons. Its been my experience that Mormons are as diversified as anybody else (Reid / Beck for example) I'm pretty sure your reference is to those groups that were fighting against gay marriage. What of us Christians that think its fine if gays get married (it is a great big 'SO') We just want government to get out of religion (religious ordinances) and stop destruction of liberty through license. Why is it that you seem to support certain Hitler practices and then demean those that do not? -- Mike, Norwalk
Mike, lol, as you usual, you twist my retort to fit your own agenda. I would be the first to terminate such a person as Hitler; any comparison with those you mentioned is childish to say the least. I do agree with everything you said (in the middle section - my partner is a Jack-Mormon so I have a little more of a base to term my opinion. Though many Mormons, like many other religious people, are ethical and goodhearted, but unfortunately, like their Muslim friends they do not come forth to lambaste those who are spewing hate etc, etc. -- RBESRQ
Wow, looks like someone stepped on a nerve. ;-) Not sure how to rate the quote -- I think it is a demonstration of the dangers of self-righteousness, and the giving of power to them. As for Obama, he is just a hypocrite -- it will be interesting when the anti-smoking clauses will be entered into the health code... -- E Archer, NYC
Now this was a great and rolicking debate...more, more, more! -- Abigail, CM
Well, Archer, they are trying to write into the health code that circumcisions be required as necessary for public health. You may or may not be glad that you were ahead of this scheme. It is outrageous to me, as a female and a nurse, that the health department should go beyond recommendations of hygiene. What people choose for their own son, or better would be for that son to decide for himself at a later point is not the governments business!! Hitler was not sanctioned by the Pope or the Catholic Church at any level from what I understand and that is what was soo wrong about the church, whether Hitler was a so-called Christian or not. The Church should have spoken out against the violations of human rights and the culling of Jews, homosexuals, mentally retarded, Catholics, Jehovahs Witnesses, etc. Instead, I think the Church got some of the wealth that was stolen from these unfortunate people. Hope I was not too late to add my comment. -- Judith, New Mexico
Hitler did in fact consume alcohol on occasion in the form of wine! -- Skins win, Rochester

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