--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [W]hat makes patriotic and religious…" description: "\"[W]hat makes patriotic and religious fanatics such dangerous opponents is not the deaths of the fanatics themselves, but their willingness to accept th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jared-diamond-2519_accepting_w-hat-makes-patriotic-and-religious-fana_1211256.jpg" --- # \[W\]hat makes patriotic and religious fanatics such… ![“[W]hat makes patriotic and religious fanatics such dangerous opponents is not the deaths of the fanatics themselves, but their willingness to accept the deaths of a fraction of their number in order to annihilate or crush their infidel enemy.” quote by Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jared-diamond-2519_accepting_w-hat-makes-patriotic-and-religious-fana_1211256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jared-diamond-2519_accepting_w-hat-makes-patriotic-and-religious-fana_1211256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jared-diamond-2519_accepting_w-hat-makes-patriotic-and-religious-fana_1211256.jpg) > “\[W\]hat makes patriotic and religious fanatics such dangerous opponents is not the deaths of the fanatics themselves, but their willingness to accept the deaths of a fraction of their number in order to annihilate or crush their infidel enemy.” [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fanatics become dangerous because they accept sacrificing part of their own group to destroy enemies, showing extreme commitment. **In simple terms:** Willingness to sacrifice for ideology makes opponents dangerous. Key Takeaway Recognize the cost of extreme commitment. Themes extremism violence ideology Mood analytical critical thoughtful Type observation analysis When to use this quote - political radicalism - religious conflict - military strategy Key Concepts group psychology conflict theory Questions to Reflect On - What drives groups to accept internal loss for external goals? - Can extreme commitment be redirected positively? A Different Perspective Such sacrifice can lead to moral erosion and unintended civilian harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Hats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hats/) [Infidel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infidel/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic/) [Patriotic religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic-religious/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious fanatics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-fanatics/) [Willingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willingness/) ## Related quotes > [“Naturally, what makes patriotic and religious fanatics such dangerous opponents is not the deaths of the fanatics themselves, but their willingness to accept the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/naturally-what-makes-patriotic-and-religious-fanatics-such-dangerous/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [The religious fanatic drew a small circle and left me, the infidel, outside it. 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