In that case, the grave would have been better for me than this tormented life, this life full of suspicions, slanders and vulgar accusations. Not a single human being has ever lost his life because of any measures decreed by me. I have always respected the property of others. I have always tried to help people in need and, as far as it lay within my power, to bring happiness and joy into their lives. And for that, many will be grateful to me and remain grateful.
Human life consists of error and guilt.
I, too, have made many mistakes and let myself be deceived in many things. I frankly acknowledge, I admit, that I have let myself be deceived all too easily and in many ways have been too unconcerned and too gullible. Therein I see my guilt, but I consider myself free from any criminal guilt which I am supposed to have incurred by discharging my official duties. In that respect, my conscience is just as clear today as on the day when I entered this courtroom ten months ago for the first time. My sense of justice was deeply wounded by the fact that the final speeches of the prosecution completely by-passed the evidence resulting from this Trial.