Frederick the Great & the Innocent Prisoners

There is a famous story about Emperor Frederick the Great visiting Potsdam Prison. As he spoke with the prisoners, each one insisted they were completely innocent of the crimes that led to their imprisonment. They all claimed to be victims of injustice, blaming someone else for their plight. However, near the end of his visit, one prisoner, with his head bowed, barely daring to look up, quietly confessed, “Your Majesty, I am guilty and deserve my punishment.” To everyone’s surprise, Emperor Frederick shouted to the prison…