Hitler's Table Talk

SCHOOLMASTER IN THE SS 699
us into erudite apes like themselves. If any pupil showed the
slightest trace of originality, they persecuted him relentlessly,
and the only model pupils whom I ever got to know have all
been failures in after-life.
Good teaching should recognise and develop the personality
of the individual pupil. In this respect the foundation of a corps
of teachers and the revision of educational methods have
brought a very great improvement in modern times.
Among our teachers there was only one who dressed decently;
and it is an interesting fact that, when I once visited Klagenfurt,
I found him—in the SS ! The old gentleman, who was then
already on pension, had^ it seems, been a member of the illegal
SS before the Anschluss. I was very much moved to meet him
again.
I can readily understand why the youth of ancient Greece
sometimes went far afield, in order to study under the teacher of
their choice. And it was grouped around their teachers, by the
way, that the youth of ancient days went into battle. There is no
enthusiasm greater than that of a young man of thirteen to
seventeen years of age. They will gladly let themselves be cut to
pieces for the sake of their teacher, if he is a real man. I should
very much like to see our youth led into battle by their teachers !