On Patriotism
"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry
into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It
emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind and when the drums have
reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather
the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up
all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so. How do I know? For
this is what I have done. And I am Caesar."
--- William Shakespeare
into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It
emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind and when the drums have
reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather
the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up
all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so. How do I know? For
this is what I have done. And I am Caesar."
--- William Shakespeare