Telle est donc la condition humaine que souhaiter la grandeur de son pays, c'est souhaiter du mal a ses voisins.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Voltaire notes that wanting national greatness often implies wishing misfortune on neighbors. Patriotism can inherently conflict with universal goodwill.
- In plain terms
- Loving your country too much hurts others.
- What can you take from it?
- Nationalism often requires others to suffer.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can love of country be peaceful?
- Is zero-sum politics inevitable?
Another view
Patriotism does not always lead to harm.
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