The lack of objectivity, as far as foreign nations are concerned, is notorious. From one day to another, another nation is made out to be utterly depraved and fiendish, while one's own nation stands for everything that is good and noble. Every action of the enemy is judged by one standard - every action of oneself by another. Even good deeds by the enemy are considered a sign of particular devilishness, meant to deceive us and the world, while our bad deeds are necessary and justified by our noble goals which they serve.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nations often judge enemies by harsh standards while excusing their own faults, creating biased moral views.
- In plain terms
- Countries call enemies evil but call their own bad acts good.
- What can you take from it?
- Patriotism can distort moral judgment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where have you seen this double standard?
- How do you spot bias in news?
Another view
Sometimes enemy actions are genuinely worse, not just perceived.
More from Erich Fromm
If a person loves only one other person and is indifferent to all others, his love is not love but a symbiotic attachment, or an enlarged egotism.
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