# 'He was a leader in his field'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hitler-leader-in-his-field
- Themes: speech, kindness, humour
- Life situations: gossip at work, criticising others

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

People told Ajahn Brahm about a co-worker who never criticised or said anything bad about anyone. Annoyed, they decided to test him: what did he think about Adolf Hitler? He thought for a while, then said: 'Well, he was a leader in his field.'

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

remember people telling me that they had a a coworker who was like that who would never criticize or say bad things about anybody and that they really got upset about that and so one day they decided to test this guy so what do you think about Adolf Hitler and this guy thought for a few months it's a true story how can you say something nice about him and this guy said well he was a leader in his field

## Teaching point

You can find something nice to say about anybody.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Colleagues tested a man who never spoke ill of anyone by asking what he thought of Adolf Hitler. After a long pause: he was a leader in his field. Ajahn Brahm loves it. If you're going to talk about people, or other groups and religions, find something nice to say. That builds peace.

## Source

- [Skillful Speech | Ajahn Brahm | 03-07-2009](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92eeS7ZGwlE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 51:41 to 52:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92eeS7ZGwlE&t=3101s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 26 June 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omrNW6IYoKk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 16:06 to 16:32: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omrNW6IYoKk&t=966s