Patriotism Quote by Gabriel Chevallier
““My county? Another concept to which you attach from a distance a rather vague ideal. You want to know what "my country" really is? Nothing more or less than a gathering of shareholders, a form of property, bourgeois mentality, and vanity. Think about all the people in your country whom you wouldn't go near, and you'll see that the ties that are supposed to bind us together don't go very deep…””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Estate by Gabriel Chevallier, 1933
The quote critiques the notion of national identity as an abstract ideal, suggesting it is merely a collection of property owners and superficial ties rather than genuine community.
In simple terms: Country is seen as a property of shareholders, not a deep bond.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the superficial basis of national identity.
Themes
nationalism
identity
social cohesion
materialism
vanity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- academic analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
property ownership
bourgeois mentality
social alienation
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true belonging beyond ownership?
- How can societies foster deeper communal ties?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook genuine cultural and emotional connections people feel.
![“Frail to the point of invalidism, without family and with nothing to look forward to, she [Mlle Muguette] yet contrived to be happy. How strange a thing is happiness! Mlle Pimpalet, the notary's wife, arrogantly middle-class, well-furnished with the goods of this world, cared for and waited on…” quote by Gabriel Chevallier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b82/gabriel-chevallier-24347_family_frail-to-the-point-of-invalidism-without_1977829.jpg)
