Art begins when a man, with a purpose of communicating to other people a feeling he once experienced, calls it up again within himself and expresses it by certain external signs.
Leo TolstoyRead
Patriotism in its simplest, clearest, and most indubitable meaning is nothing but an instrument for the attainment of the government's ambitious and mercenary aims, and a renunciation of human dignity, common sense, and conscience by the governed, and a slavish submission to those who hold power. That is what is really preached wherever patriotism is championed. Patriotism is slavery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Patriotism can lead to blind obedience to government and a loss of individual dignity.
In this quote, Leo Tolstoy critiques the concept of patriotism, suggesting that it is often manipulated by those in power to achieve their own selfish goals, thus leading individuals to abandon their sense of human dignity and moral judgment. He views patriotism as a form of mental slavery, where citizens submit uncritically to the state's authority, sacrificing their freedom of conscience in the process.
Themes
PatriotismSlaveryGovernmentPowerDignity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the dangers of extreme nationalism.
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People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing-refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.
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A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.
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