Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "Many of us are inclined to say"

Many of us are inclined to say

That individual Germans share their guilt

For acts which Germany committed during this war

Because they did not raise their voices

In protest against those acts

Their defense that their protest

Would have been to no avail

Hardly seems acceptable

Even though these Germans could not have protested

Without running risks to life and liberty

We scientists working on atomic power

Are in a position to raise our voices

Without such risks

Even though we might incur the displeasure

Of those who are at present in charge

The people of the United States

Are well aware of the choice we face

And this only increases our responsibility

In this matter

We alone who have worked on atomic power

We alone are in a position to declare or stand

I think it improper for a scientist

To use his prestige as a platform

For political pronouncements