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
Seas of blood have been shed for the sake of patriotism. One would expect the harm and irrationality of patriotism to be self-evident to everyone. But the surprising fact is that cultured and learned people not only do not notice the harm and stupidity of patriotism, they resist every unveiling of it with the greatest obstinacy and passion (with no rational grounds), and continue to praise it as beneficent and elevating.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Patriotism can lead to unnecessary violence and harm, yet many educated individuals defend it passionately despite its irrationality.
This quote by Leo Tolstoy critiques the concept of patriotism, suggesting that throughout history, it has prompted violence and suffering in its name. Tolstoy points out the irony that, despite the evident dangers and irrational nature of patriotism, many educated individuals refuse to acknowledge these truths and continue to uphold patriotism as a noble and positive force, demonstrating a blindness to the destructive consequences that often accompany such fervor.
Themes
PatriotismViolenceIrrationalityObstinacyCritique
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on nationalism, one could use this quote to highlight the risks affiliated with blind patriotism.
More from Leo Tolstoy
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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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It's too easy to criticize a man when he's out of favour, and to make him shoulder the blame for everybody else's mistakes.
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Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.
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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.
Leo TolstoyRead
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