It may be shocking to some people in this country to realize that, without meaning to do so, they hold views in common with Hitler when they preach discrimination against other religious, racial or economic groups.
Henry A. WallaceRead
They are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often show patriotism during war for self-interest, but in peace, they prioritize power and money.
This quote by Henry A. Wallace suggests that patriotism can be conditional, often driven by self-interest rather than true loyalty. In wartime, individuals may rally around their country due to the perceived necessity of the situation, but in times of peace, their motivations shift towards seeking power and financial gain, indicating a shift in values based on circumstances.
Themes
PatriotismWarPeaceSelf-InterestPowerMoney
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the motivations behind national loyalty, this quote can highlight the complexities of patriotism.
More from Henry A. Wallace
All quotes →During the next four years...unless drastic steps are taken by Congress, the U.S. will have nearly 8,000,000 unemployed and will stand on the brink of a deep depression.
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American fascism will not be really dangerous until there is a purposeful coalition among the cartelists, the deliberate poisoners of public information, and those who stand for the K.K.K. type of demagoguery.
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Fascism is a worldwide disease. Its greatest threat to the United States will come after the war, either via Latin America or within the United States itself.
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A fascist is one whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.
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This is a fight between a free world and a slave world.
Henry A. WallaceRead
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