“The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.”
- April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945
- Born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
- Political leader of Nazi Germany
- As the leader of the Nazi Party, he caused World War II and led the Holocaust (the persecution and genocide of European Jews)
table of contents
Quote
“The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence.”
Explanation
In this quote, Adolf Hitler emphasizes his belief that violence is the fundamental tool for achieving and maintaining power. He suggests that success—whether in politics, war, or governance—requires a continuous and unrelenting use of force. This perspective reflects Hitler’s deeply authoritarian ideology, where militarization and the suppression of dissent were seen as necessary to enforce control and ensure the survival of the regime. According to this view, only through the regular and systematic use of violence could a regime secure its dominance, suppress opposition, and prevent any challenges to its rule.
Historically, this mindset was central to the methods used by the Nazi regime to maintain control over Germany and the territories it occupied. Hitler’s rise to power was marked by the use of intimidation and brutality through organizations like the SA (Sturmabteilung) and the SS (Schutzstaffel), as well as the Gestapo and concentration camps. These groups employed violence and terror against political enemies, Jews, and other marginalized groups. The regular employment of violence was not only a tool of suppression but also a method of shaping the public mindset, making resistance or opposition seem futile and dangerous.
In the modern world, this quote serves as a stark warning against the dangers of state-sponsored violence and authoritarian rule. While the use of violence may appear to secure short-term power, it ultimately leads to corruption, suffering, and the destruction of human rights. This mindset undermines the principles of democracy, freedom, and justice. Today, the international community emphasizes diplomacy, conflict resolution, and humanitarian principles as essential tools for resolving disputes and ensuring that violence is not the first solution to challenges. Understanding the consequences of relying on violence as a tool of control can help prevent the rise of regimes that prioritize force over peaceful means of governance.
