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I Cannot be Silent: Writings on Politics, Art and Religion by Leo Tolstoy

This book compiles a selection of essays written by Leo Tolstoy, delving into his thoughts on politics, art, and religion. The essays reflect Tolstoy's deep philosophical inquiries and personal reflections on these subjects. more

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Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer and thinker, a prominent representative of 19th-century Russian literature. His works deeply revealed social contradictions and human nature, and had a profound impact on the world. more

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“Man is the only Patriot. He sets himself apart in his own country, under his own flag, and sneers at the other nations, and keeps multitudinous uniformed assassins on hand at heavy expense to grab slices of other people's countries, and keep them from grabbing slices of his. And in the intervals between campaigns he washes the blood off his hands and works for the universal brotherhood of man - with his mouth.”

PeopleMenCountryHandsNationsBloodMouthsUniversalHeavyCampaignsPatriotismNationalismPatrioticExpensesBrotherhoodFlagsPatriotIntervalsAssassinsGrabbingSneerPatriotism And NationalismBrotherhood Of Man
Book:Mark Twain’s Book of Animals
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“Seas of blood have been shed for the sake of patriotism. One would expect the harm and irrationality of patriotism to be self-evident to everyone. But the surprising fact is that cultured and learned people not only do not notice the harm and stupidity of patriotism, they resist every unveiling of it with the greatest obstinacy and passion (with no rational grounds), and continue to praise it as beneficent and elevating.”

PeopleHas BeensSelfFactsPassionBloodSeaPraiseSakeStupidityHarmRationalPatriotismSurprisingShedEvidentIrrationalityObstinacyElevatingUnveiling
Author:Leo Tolstoy
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“If the test of patriotism comes only by reflexively falling into lockstep behind the leader whenever the flag is waved, then what we have is a formula for dictatorship, not democracy... But the American way is to criticize and debate openly, not to accept unthinkingly the doings of government officials of this or any other country.”

IfsWayCountryGovernmentFallBehindsLeaderAcceptingDemocracyTestsDebateOfficialsDeceitPatriotismCriticizeFormulasFlagsDictatorshipOther CountriesDoingsGovernment Officials
Author:Michael Parenti
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“The feeling of patriotism - It is an immoral feeling because, instead of confessing himself a son of God . . . or even a free man guided by his own reason, each man under the influence of patriotism confesses himself the son of his fatherland and the slave of his government, and commits actions contrary to his reason and conscience.”

MenReasonFeelingsGovernmentActionInfluenceSonConscienceSlaveContraryCommitPatriotismPatriotImmoralFree ManScoundrelsConfessingFatherland
Book:I Cannot be Silent: Writings on Politics, Art and Religion by Leo Tolstoy
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