一九二一年，魯迅針對反動的封建統治者長期行思想統治的後果，以「哀其不幸，怒其不爭」的批判態度來寫阿Q。數十年來，魯迅的「阿Q正傳」描繪出放諸四海皆準的人性；不幸的是阿Q精神似乎也並沒有完全從人的思想和行為中褪出 –妥協、姑息、自我安慰。
沉默的代價
In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up.
- Martin Niemoller 1892-1984.
- Martin Niemoller是二次大戰前德國的宗教領袖，
因反對希特勒的猶太政策和對德國教會的控制，
後來被希特勒親自下令送進集中營。
二次大戰後，德國新教徒馬丁尼莫拉，這樣懺悔﹕「起初他們（納粹黨）追殺共產主義者時，由於我不是共產主義者，我不說話﹔接著他們追殺猶太人時，我不是猶太人，也不說話﹔後來他們追殺天主教徒時，我不是天主教徒，我也不說話。最後，他們朝我而來，卻再也沒有人可以站起來為我說話了。」
