One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognizes the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty.
 George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius (1941). copy citation

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Author George Orwell
Source The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius
Topic loyalty strength
Date 1941
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and...

Context

“On the other hand, if one of them succeeds in blowing me to pieces with a well-placed bomb, he will never sleep any the worse for it. He is serving his country, which has the power to absolve him from evil. One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognizes the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilization it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it. Christianity and international Socialism are as weak as straw in comparison with it.” source