The fear and horror surrounding the concept of a franc-tireur, or partisan fighter, stemmed from the German perspective that civil resistance represented chaos and disruption. This unease was deeply rooted in their values, illustrating a preference for structural order even if it meant tolerating injustice. Goethe’s sentiment highlights this mindset, emphasizing that Germans would often choose injustice over disorder.

Barbara W. Tuchman, in her work "The Guns of August," reflects on this notion, suggesting that during times of conflict, the adherence to order was prioritized significantly, revealing a fundamental aspect of the German ethos. The anxiety associated with civilian uprisings suggests that to the German mindset, the threat of disarray was more alarming than the moral implications of injustice.