Who among us has any conception of the dimensions of shame that will befall us and our children when one day the veil has fallen from our eyes and the most horrible of crimes...reach the light of day?
Hans SchollRead
Nationalism is like cheap alcohol. First it makes you drunk, then it makes you blind, then it kills you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Nationalism can intoxicate people with pride but ultimately leads to negative consequences.
In this quote, Daniel Fried uses the metaphor of cheap alcohol to illustrate the seductive yet destructive nature of nationalism. Initially, nationalism can evoke a strong sense of identity and belonging, akin to the euphoria from alcohol, but as it progresses, it can lead to ignorance and harm, mirroring the adverse effects of excessive drinking. The quote warns against the dangers of extreme nationalism that blinds individuals to the realities and complexities of the world, ultimately leading to destructive outcomes.
Themes
NationalismBlindnessDestructionIdentityIntoxication
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the political climate, one might use this quote to emphasize the dangers of extreme nationalism.
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