Mastodawn

It is important not to confuse nationalism with mere worship of success. The nationalist does not go on the principle of simply ganging up with the strongest side. On the contrary, having picked his side, he persuades himself that it is the strongest, and is able to stick to his belief even when the facts are overwhelmingly against him. Nationalism is power-hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also — since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself — unshakably certain of being in the right.

George Orwell (1903-1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1945-05), “Notes on Nationalism,” Polemic Magazine (1945-10)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/45922/

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Orwell, George - Essay (1945-05), "Notes on Nationalism," Polemic Magazine (1945-10) | WIST Quotations

It is important not to confuse nationalism with mere worship of success. The nationalist does not go on the principle of simply ganging up with the strongest side. On the contrary, having picked his side, he persuades himself that it is the strongest, and is able to stick to his…

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Apr 3

A quotation from Orwell

A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige. He may be a positive or a negative nationalist — that is, he may use his mental energy either in boosting or in denigrating — but at any rate his thoughts always turn on victories, defeats, triumphs and humiliations. He sees history, especially contemporary history, as the endless rise and decline of great power units, and every event that happens seems to him a demonstration that his own side is on the upgrade and some hated rival is on the downgrade.

George Orwell (1903-1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1945-05), “Notes on Nationalism,” Polemic Magazine (1945-10)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/45763/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #orwell #georgeorwell #comparison #competition #defeat #ego #face #faction #history #nationalism #prestige #takesides #usvsthem #victory #winning #nationalist

Orwell, George - Essay (1945-05), "Notes on Nationalism," Polemic Magazine (1945-10) | WIST Quotations

A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige. He may be a positive or a negative nationalist -- that is, he may use his mental energy either in boosting or in denigrating -- but at any rate his thoughts always turn on victories, defeats,…

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Mar 17, 2025

A quotation from Addison

A man must be excessively stupid, as well as uncharitable, who believes that there is no virtue but on his own side, and that there are not men as honest as himself who may differ from him in political principles.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/addison-joseph/1442/

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WIST Quotations Has Moved!Feb 25, 2025

A quotation from Elie Wiesel

I swore to never be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim; silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) Romanian-American novelist, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate.
Speech (1986-12-10), Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/wiesel-elie/8029/

#quote #quotes #quotation #enabling #neutrality #oppressed #oppression #silence #speakout #suffering #takesides #target #torment #victim

Speech (1986-12-10), Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize - Wiesel, Elie | WIST Quotations

I swore to never be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim; silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

WIST Quotations

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Potung Thul Apr 5, 2024

@NaturaArtisMagistra
@jerry

We must take the correct side. For the right reasons.
Deciding that one side is bad just because that side is represented by a bad guy is wrong.
It would be wrong to say: he said "2+2=4" and he's an asshole, so he's wrong
It would be equally wrong to say: he said "2+2=5" and he's an asshole, so he's wrong. That's not why 2+2=5 is wrong.
Forcing someone to #TakeSides by saying "Whoever's not for us is against us" is wrong. There may be more sides than you think.