--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to…" description: "\"PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's 'country'; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg" --- # PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the… ![“PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's 'country'; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire to dominate and kill; 3) A feeling of exultation experienced when contemplating heaps of charred 'enemy' corpses; 4) The first, last, and perennial…” quote by Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg) > “PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's 'country'; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire to dominate and kill; 3) A feeling of exultation experienced when contemplating heaps of charred 'enemy' corpses; 4) The first, last, and perennial refuge of scoundrels.” [Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Patriotism is portrayed as a dangerous, violent, and self‑serving ideology that glorifies domination. **In simple terms:** Patriotism can be a violent, self‑serving belief. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind nationalist fervor. Themes nationalism violence political critique morality Mood critical skeptical Type satirical political When to use this quote - political discourse - activism - media analysis Key Concepts power dynamics identity politics Questions to Reflect On - What drives the glorification of violence in nationalism? - Can patriotism exist without aggression? A Different Perspective The definition is satirical and may not reflect all perspectives on patriotism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contemplating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplating/) [Corpses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corpses/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Distinguish Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguish-government-4809190/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Inability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inability/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Patriotism Inability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism-inability-4809189/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Praiseworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praiseworthy/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Scoundrels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scoundrels/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Characterized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-characterized-4809191/) ## Related quotes > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. 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No, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-hart/did-god-really-say-that-i-couldn-t-tell-my-friends-what-so-and-so-did/) [Heather Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-hart/) > [But as the old Confusion of tongues was laudable, when men who were of one language in wickedness and impiety, even as some now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/but-as-the-old-confusion-of-tongues-was-laudable-when-men-who-were-of/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [I have studied this Book, and I would never even dream of saying I've come to the bottom of the Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rogers/i-have-studied-this-book-and-i-would-never-even-dream-of-saying-i-ve/) [Adrian Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rogers/) > [Man and woman and speech and deed and city and object should be honored with praise if praiseworthy and incur blame if unworthy, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gorgias/man-and-woman-and-speech-and-deed-and-city-and-object-should-be/) [Gorgias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gorgias/) > [You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/you-are-unique-and-there-may-be-incidents-in-your-experience-that-are/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [And the Bible is not primarily a book of history. It is "His story," the story of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rogers/and-the-bible-is-not-primarily-a-book-of-history-it-is-his-story-the/) [Adrian Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rogers/) > [Scientific accuracy confirms the Bible is the Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rogers/scientific-accuracy-confirms-the-bible-is-the-word-of-god/) [Adrian Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rogers/) > [Perseverance is neither praiseworthy nor blameworthy; for it seems to be only the enduring of certain inclinations and opinions which men neither give themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/perseverance-is-neither-praiseworthy-nor-blameworthy-for-it-seems-to/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [People sometimes rationalize their greed by saying that it is all for the good of their children but this is nothing but an excuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/people-sometimes-rationalize-their-greed-by-saying-that-it-is-all-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## More by Chaz Bufe > [A time-tested political tactic guaranteed to raise a president's popularity rating by at least 30 points. It is especially useful during election years and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/a-time-tested-political-tactic-guaranteed-to-raise-a-president-s/) [Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) > [“For over a century and a half, anarchists have been arguing that coercive, hierarchical organization (as embodied in government and corporations) is not equivalent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/for-over-a-century-and-a-half-anarchists-have-been-arguing-that/) [Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) > [Jesus Christ: A common exclamation indicating surprise, disgust, anger or bewilderment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/jesus-christ-a-common-exclamation-indicating-surprise-disgust-anger/) [Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) > [“Anarchism is not chaos; Anarchism is not rejection of organization. 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A person to be pitied in that he is unable to believe things for which there is no evidence, and who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/atheist-n-a-person-to-be-pitied-in-that-he-is-unable-to-believe/) [Chaz Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) [Explore all 7 Chaz Bufe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/) ## More Contemplating quotes > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [What's given, in fact, always depends on the person or thing it's given to. A minor incident in the street brings the cook to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/what-s-given-in-fact-always-depends-on-the-person-or-thing-it-s-given/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [The good author is he who contemplates without marked joy or excessive sorrow the adventures of his soul amongst criticisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-good-author-is-he-who-contemplates-without-marked-joy-or/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [I have actually seen people contemplate their navels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-heilpern/i-have-actually-seen-people-contemplate-their-navels/) [John Heilpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-heilpern/) > [It is very pleasant to scratch an itching ring-worm, but the sensation one gets afterwards is very painful and intolerable. 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Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Contemplating the bowl, it is possible to see the interdependent elements which give rise to the bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/contemplating-the-bowl-it-is-possible-to-see-the-interdependent/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [The two hardest things to contemplate in life ... are failure and age; those are one and the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-two-hardest-things-to-contemplate-in-life-are-failure-and-age/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of children into the ways of life when they are scarcely more than infants. It checks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-always-grieves-me-to-contemplate-the-initiation-of-children-into/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [When contemplating college liberals, you really regret once again that John Walker is not getting the death penalty.We need to execute people like John…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/when-contemplating-college-liberals-you-really-regret-once-again-that/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [contemplating the misfortunes of others does not lighten one's own trouble but instead adds to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-g-eberhart/contemplating-the-misfortunes-of-others-does-not-lighten-one-s-own/) [Mignon G. Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-g-eberhart/) > [Linda McCartney sausages were my favorite. Theyre much better than eating real sausages and you dont have to contemplate half way through exactly whats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/linda-mccartney-sausages-were-my-favorite-theyre-much-better-than/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) [Browse all 762 Contemplating quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplating/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's 'country'; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire to dominate and kill; 3) A feeling of exultation experienced when contemplating heaps of charred 'enemy' corpses; 4) The first, last, and perennial refuge of scoundrels.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chaz Bufe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distinguish-between-the-government/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contemplating" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distinguish-between-the-government/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff3/chaz-bufe-50428_contemplating_patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distingu_586381.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's 'country'; 2) A highly…” — Chaz Bufe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chaz Bufe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bufe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distinguish-between-the-government/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bufe/patriotism-n-1-the-inability-to-distinguish-between-the-government/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```