The Chilling Truth: 5 Ways Naomi Shulman’s “Nice People” Quote Redefines Moral Courage

Naomi Shulman's powerful, provocative statement—"Nice people made the best Nazis"—continues to resonate with profound relevance in modern ethical and political discourse, especially as of this December 2025. This quote is not a casual observation but a distilled lesson from one of history's darkest chapters, challenging the superficial value society places on mere "niceness." The phrase forces a crucial re-evaluation of what constitutes true goodness, suggesting that passive pleasantness is not only insufficient but can be actively dangerous when confronted with systemic injustice.

The core intention behind Shulman's words is to draw a stark line between two seemingly similar concepts: being nice and being kind. Niceness, in this context, is exposed as a form of social compliance—a desire to avoid conflict and maintain a comfortable status quo. Kindness, conversely, is defined by moral courage and active ethical intervention, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. This article delves into the origins of Shulman’s quote and explores five critical ways it has redefined our understanding of moral responsibility.

Naomi Shulman: Biography and Professional Profile

Naomi Shulman is a distinguished American essayist, author, and editor whose work frequently explores themes of ethics, family, and social responsibility. Her background in both literature and theology provides a unique lens for her commentary on contemporary moral issues.

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• Full Name: Naomi Shulman
• Primary Occupation: Essayist, Author, Editor
• Education:
  • PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley
  • Master's Degree in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School
• Notable Publications/Essays: Her essays and articles have appeared in major publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Yankee Magazine.
• Key Book: Be Kind: You Can Make the World a Happier Place! (a practical guide for children on active kindness, published by Storey Publishing).
• Geographic Location: She works as a writer and editor in Western Massachusetts.
• Core Themes: Ethics, memory, intertextuality, and the critical distinction between "nice" and "kind".

The Origin of the Quote: Niceness as Moral Complacency

The explosive nature of Shulman's statement—"Nice people made the best Nazis"—stems directly from a chilling family history. The insight comes from her mother, who grew up in Nazi Germany.

Shulman recounts the observation: "My mom grew up next to them. They got along, refused to make waves, looked the other way when things got ugly and focused on their own lives. They were nice people who made the best Nazis".

This anecdote is the foundation of a profound ethical argument. The "nice people" in this scenario were not the fanatical ideologues or the brutal perpetrators. They were the ordinary neighbors—the ones who were polite, friendly, and conflict-averse. Their niceness was a shield, a social contract that prioritized personal comfort and superficial harmony over moral responsibility. It was their refusal to "rock the boat" or challenge the escalating horrors that allowed the Nazi regime to function with terrifying efficiency.

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The quote serves as a powerful historical warning: a society obsessed with niceness can be easily manipulated. When the cost of being "nice" is silence in the face of atrocity, niceness becomes complicity. The true resisters, Shulman points out, were often "not nice people" in the conventional sense, because resistance is inherently confrontational and disruptive.

5 Critical Ways Shulman’s Quote Redefines Ethical Action

Naomi Shulman’s work, particularly her distinction between niceness and kindness, offers a framework for understanding moral courage in the modern world. This framework moves beyond simple politeness to demand active, ethical engagement.

1. The Tyranny of Niceness vs. True Kindness (Chesed)

Shulman argues that niceness is often driven by a craving for validation and a fear of disapproval. A "nice" person wants everyone to like them, leading them to avoid any action that might cause friction. This is "The Tyranny of Niceness"—the pressure to conform to social expectations of pleasantness, even at the expense of justice.

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Kindness, however, is a deeper, more active virtue. Shulman, inspired by Jewish values, often refers to the concept of Chesed (loving-kindness). Kindness is about doing the right thing, regardless of whether it makes you popular or comfortable. The kindest action, Shulman notes, is sometimes the one that "may not look or feel nice," such as confronting a bully or challenging a prejudiced remark.

2. Niceness as Passive Compliance

The core danger highlighted by the quote is the link between niceness and passive compliance. Niceness thrives on maintaining the status quo. In a workplace, a community, or a nation where injustice is tolerated, the "nice" person is the one who goes along to get along. They are the ones who refuse to "make waves" because the personal cost of speaking out is too high. This passivity is the fuel that allows dangerous ideologies and systemic abuses—like White Supremacy or corporate corruption—to flourish unchecked.

3. The Demand for Moral Courage

Shulman's analysis elevates the importance of moral courage. True kindness requires bravery—the willingness to endure social ostracism, professional consequences, or personal discomfort for a greater ethical good. The lesson from the Holocaust is that the moral test is not how you treat your friends, but how you respond to the suffering of strangers or the oppression of marginalized groups. It demands that individuals develop a strong ethical character that prioritizes justice over personal popularity.

4. A Shift in Parenting and Education

The impact of Shulman's philosophy has been particularly significant in children's literature and parenting circles, largely through her book Be Kind. She advocates for teaching children that kindness is not just about sharing toys or saying "please" and "thank you." It is about concrete, actionable steps like:

• Standing up for someone being bullied.
• Actively working to improve the world around them.
• Recognizing the difference between feeling good (nice) and doing good (kind).

5. The Relevance to Modern Social Justice Movements

In recent years, the quote has found renewed traction in discussions surrounding social justice, activism, and the fight against various forms of extremism. Activists and commentators frequently use the distinction to challenge those who claim neutrality or demand "civility" when confronting issues like racism, sexism, or political corruption. The argument is that demanding niceness from those fighting for their rights is a way of demanding silence, thereby protecting the perpetrators of injustice. Shulman's quote serves as a constant reminder that the greatest threat to a moral society is not overt malice, but the quiet, polite indifference of the majority.

Embracing Active Kindness Over Superficial Niceness

Naomi Shulman's powerful, enduring quote is more than a historical observation; it is a timeless ethical imperative. It compels every individual to look past the superficial comfort of being "nice" and embrace the difficult, yet essential, work of being truly "kind." Kindness, as Shulman defines it, is a verb—an action that requires moral clarity, self-awareness, and the courage to stand against the tide, even when it means sacrificing personal pleasantness.

The legacy of the "nice people" who enabled the Holocaust is a lesson that must not be forgotten. To honor that history is to commit to a life of active ethical engagement, ensuring that our desire for peace and harmony never overrides our duty to justice and moral truth.