15 definitions
The Categorical imperative (n.) was nearly correct — as Eichmann recited it: 'the principle of my will must always be such that it can become the principle of general laws' — recited by the organizer of the Final Solution.
A Civil servant (n.) of the higher kind was the man to whom Eichmann entrusted the last strongbox of gold — 'he will put down his expenses ... for I still believed that accounts would be demanded some day.'
Efficiency (n.) bred attachment: 'if you see everything running smoothly and in good order, you don't like to give it up' — said of an office for expelling Jews.
Führerworte (n.) had the force of law — the Führer's words — so any order contrary to a word spoken by Hitler was, by definition, unlawful.
An Idealist (n.) is a man who lives for his idea and is prepared to sacrifice for it everything and, especially, everybody.
An Idealist (n.) of the perfect kind has personal feelings like everybody else, but never permits them to interfere with his actions if they conflict with his 'idea.'
Kadavergehorsam (n.) meaning 'the obedience of corpses' was Eichmann's own name for blind obedience — whose virtues and vices he stressed by turns.
A Law-abiding citizen (n.) is what Eichmann claimed to be: he not only obeyed orders, he obeyed the law — and the law of the land was the Führer's order.
Luck (n.) decides it: 'The subject of a good government is lucky, the subject of a bad government is unlucky. I had no luck.'
A Monster (n.) is what Eichmann denied being — 'I am not the monster I am made out to be. I am the victim of a fallacy.'
Obedience (n.) is praised as a virtue, Eichmann pleaded at the end: his guilt came from his obedience, and his virtue had been abused by the leaders.