People's ability to forget what they do not want to know, to overlook what is before their eyes, was seldom put to the test better than in Germany at that time.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I had nearly finished school because I was making effort not that bad on that. But there was a law in Germany after the war. You could not make your final examination before 18, so lots of people who were late because of the way had to do it first.
Great success in examinations does naturally not as a rule go with originality of thought.
I loved tests because it was another form of competing, a healthy competition.
Very early, it became clear to me that East Germany could not function.
I must begin by saying something about the old Germany. That Germany, too, suffered from superficial judgment, because appearances and reality were not always kept apart in people's minds.
The courtesy which most becomes a victor was denied to Germany for a long time.
Football is easy when things are going well, but when its not, it becomes the biggest test.
Just as a child respects his father even when he perceives his weaknesses and faults, so a German will not despise the old Germany which was once a symbol of greatness to him.
I hate tests. It's a really lousy way to judge a person's ability.
The German mind has a talent for making no mistakes but the very greatest.