“I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few” -Adolph Hitler

An interesting quote in an interesting time. This is an important point given the state of politics and society today. It is a quote that both implies the nature of us all and that of our societies, our civilizations and many of our beliefs.

The word, “reserve”, has especially and important meaning for it implies that the speaker is capable of reason and that the speaker does not maintain it in all circumstances. It implies rhetoric and persuasion and motivation and rationality.

The word “use” refers to a conscious decision on the part of the speaker to differentiate goals, goals that are left vague and unspoken. “I use” refers to the speaker’s willingness to lie to some and present ultimate desires to others.

“For the many” must refer to the mob, to the masses, and the few to those who are privy to private information. This is not in hindsight, but simply common assumptions that would be made by anyone who thought about this. However, if most of us rely upon emotion then only the few would understand the quote.