2007-06-26

Patriotism or Nationalism?

The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war. — Sidney J. Harris

Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill and calling for larger spurs and brighter beaks. I fear that nationalism is one of England’s many spurious gifts to the world. — Richard Aldington

From Crooks and Liars.

1 comment:

Ross said...

I consider myself blessed to be able to live in Auatralia, but like pretty much every other country in the world, we have things we can be proud of, which must be weighed against the injustices committed by our nation against our own people and elsewhere.