In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; and then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; and then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; and then…they came for me…and by that time there was no-one left to speak up.

quoted in many versions since the Second World War; this version was approved by Niemöller as the original (in 'Quote Unquote' Newsletter April 2001)