We are all exceptional cases. Each of us insists on being innocent at all cost, even if he has to accuse the whole human race and heaven itself. The Fall, tr. Justin O'Brien, 1956. Blame is most readily averted by being so much like everybody else that one passes unnoticed.
Authoritarian organisations are past masters at deflecting blame.
They do so by denial, by rationalisation, by making scapegoats. Norman F. Dixon. On the Psychology of Military Incompetence, 1976. Through this world I seek in vain, and my grief wins no relief for all my bitter shame, while the servant wins a traitor's name. Translation of text to J.S. Bach's St John Passion, by Peter Pears and Imogen Holst from the recording by the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Britten.