I would not cross this room to reform parliament or…
““I would not cross this room to reform parliament or prevent the union or to bring about the millennium... - but man as part of a movement or a crowd is ... inhuman... the only feelings I have are for men as individuals; my loyalties, such as they may be, are to private persons alone… Patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is always right, which is imbecile.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker rejects collective causes, emphasizing loyalty to individuals over abstract patriotism, viewing mass movements as dehumanizing.
In simple terms: Prefers personal loyalty over nationalistic or group identity.
Key Takeaway
Value personal relationships above abstract ideologies.
Themes
loyalty
individualism
patriotism
humanity
politics
Mood
critical
philosophical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- personal relationships
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
individual rights
skepticism of nationalism
ethical autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is individual loyalty always superior to collective good?
- What are the risks of rejecting all group affiliations?
A Different Perspective
The view may ignore benefits of collective action and shared identity.