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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw defines patriotism as believing your country is best solely due to birthplace.
In plain terms
Patriotism is thinking your country is best because you were born there.
What can you take from it?
Recognize birthplace bias in national pride.

Where it applies

  • political debate
  • national holidays
  • immigration discussions

Putting it to work

  • critique national narratives
  • question origins of loyalty

Questions to consider

  • Is patriotism based on facts or birth?
  • How do you define loyalty to a place?

Another view

It ignores genuine achievements of a nation.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

    Permalink to quote #223
  2. Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy.[1]

    Permalink to quote #225
  3. Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself.

    Permalink to quote #222

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