Meaning: The quote provided is attributed to Hans Frank, a prominent figure in Nazi Germany who held several high-ranking positions in the government during the Third Reich. The quote reflects his political career and the trajectory of his ministerial roles. To fully understand the significance of this quote, it is crucial to delve into the context of Hans Frank's life and political activities.

Hans Frank was born in 1900 in Karlsruhe, Germany. He pursued a career in law and became a prominent lawyer in the 1920s. However, his life took a drastic turn with the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler's ascension to power in 1933. Frank joined the NSDAP (Nazi Party) and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Adolf Hitler's personal legal advisor.

In 1934, Frank was appointed Bavarian State Minister of Justice, marking the beginning of his tenure in the highest echelons of the Nazi regime. During his time in this position, he played a key role in implementing the Nazi regime's legal framework, which included the systematic discrimination and persecution of Jews, political dissidents, and other marginalized groups.

The dissolution of the ministries of justice in the various German states was part of the centralization of power under the Nazi regime. This process, known as Gleichschaltung, aimed to eliminate regional autonomy and consolidate authority under the central government in Berlin. As a result, Frank's role was redefined, and he was appointed Reich Minister without portfolio. This change in his official title was reflective of the broader restructuring of the German government and the increasing centralization of power under Hitler's leadership.

As Reich Minister without portfolio, Frank held a position that granted him considerable influence and access to the highest levels of decision-making within the Nazi government. This role allowed him to exert his influence across various domains, despite not being affiliated with a specific ministry. It is important to note that Frank's political ascent occurred during a period of immense turmoil and oppression in Germany, as the Nazi regime implemented increasingly draconian policies and embarked on a path of aggressive expansionism and militarization.

However, it is crucial to recognize the deeply troubling and sinister implications of this quote. Hans Frank's tenure as a public servant was marked by his active participation in the implementation of Nazi policies, including the brutal persecution and extermination of millions of people, particularly Jews, during the Holocaust. As Governor-General of occupied Poland, Frank played a key role in the exploitation and extermination of the Polish population and the establishment of ghettos and concentration camps.

In 1945, at the end of World War II, Hans Frank was captured by Allied forces and stood trial at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to death and executed in 1946.

In conclusion, the quote attributed to Hans Frank encapsulates his trajectory within the Nazi government, from his initial position as Bavarian State Minister of Justice to his subsequent role as Reich Minister without portfolio. However, it is essential to contextualize this quote within the broader history of the Nazi regime and the atrocities committed under its rule. Hans Frank's legacy is indelibly linked to the profound suffering and devastation caused by the policies and actions of the Nazi leadership during his tenure.