Don't be offended if I ask you why you exposed yourself for the captain when you refused for the flag ?" "I don't mind telling you at all.

The captain is a living man, and the flag only a symbol.

A symbol does not seem to me to be worth as much as a man." The adjutant stared at him, and he repeated confusedly: "A symbol!" Wilhelm said nothing in explanation, but went on: "I regret very much that I was not asked before I was proposed for the Iron Cross.

I cannot accept it." "Not take it?
You can't really mean that!" "Yes, I do.

In trying to fulfill my duties as a man and a citizen, I cannot hang a sign of my bravery on me for all passers-by to see." "You speak like a tragedy, my dear Herr Eynhardt," said the adjutant.
"But just as you like.