Breathes there a man with soul so dead that it does not…
“Breathes there a man with soul so dead that it does not glow at the thought of what the men of his blood have done and suffered to make his country what it is? There is room, plenty of room, for proper pride of land and birth. What I inveigh against is a cursed spirit of intolerance, conceived in distrust and bred in ignorance, that makes the mental attitude perennially antagonistic, even bitterly antagonistic, to everything foreign, that subordinates everywhere the race to the nation, forgetting the higher claims of human brotherhood.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A critique of xenophobia, urging pride in heritage while condemning intolerance that pits nations against each other.
In simple terms: Reject hatred, embrace human unity.
Key Takeaway
Promote empathy over prejudice.
Themes
tolerance
heritage
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- community dialogue
- policy making
Key Concepts
nationalism
intolerance
brotherhood
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance pride with inclusivity?
- What actions counteract xenophobic attitudes?
A Different Perspective
National pride can slip into exclusion.