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.
Interpretation
Patriotism is pride based on actions, while nationalism is pride regardless of actions, leading to responsibility versus arrogance.
This quote by Sydney J. Harris distinguishes between patriotism and nationalism, suggesting that a true patriot takes pride in their country based on its positive actions and values, fostering a sense of responsibility towards its citizens and the world. In contrast, nationalism, characterized by an unquestioning pride in one's country regardless of its actions, can lead to a dangerous and blind arrogance that contributes to conflict and war.
In practice
In a discussion about global conflicts, this quote can be used to highlight the dangers of blind nationalism.
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We evaluate others with a Godlike justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a Godlike compassion.
The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother - which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.
Man's unique agony as a species consists in his perpetual conflict between the desire to stand out and the need to blend in.
"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.
At it's highest level, the purpose of teaching is not to teach—it is to inspire the desire for learning. Once a student's mind is set on fire, it will find a way to provide its own fuel.
It tires me to talk to rich men. You expect a man of millions, the head of a great industry, to be a man worthhearing; but as a rule they don't know anything outside their own business.
All are called to be what in the reality of God they are already.
I still preserve those relics of past sufferings and experience, like pillars of witness set up in travelling through the valve of life, to mark particular occurrences. The footsteps are obliterated now; the face of the country may be changed; but the pillar is still there, to remind me how all things were when it was reared.
Sometimes there is a difference in what is legal and what ought to be done.
Time is not an empirical concept. For neither co-existence nor succession would be perceived by us, if the representation of time did not exist as a foundation a priori.
The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties.
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