--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every national border in Europe,\" El…" description: "\"Every national border in Europe,\" El Eswad added ironically, \"marks the place where two gangs of bandits got too exhausted to kill each other anymore a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bandits_every-national-border-in-europe-el-eswad_2599237.jpg" --- # Every national border in Europe," El Eswad added… ![“Every national border in Europe," El Eswad added ironically, "marks the place where two gangs of bandits got too exhausted to kill each other anymore and signed a treaty. Patriotism is the delusion that one of these gangs of bandits is better than all the others.” quote by Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bandits_every-national-border-in-europe-el-eswad_2599237.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bandits_every-national-border-in-europe-el-eswad_2599237.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bandits_every-national-border-in-europe-el-eswad_2599237.jpg) > “Every national border in Europe," El Eswad added ironically, "marks the place where two gangs of bandits got too exhausted to kill each other anymore and signed a treaty. Patriotism is the delusion that one of these gangs of bandits is better than all the others.” [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) ## 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 a myth that frames rival groups as superior, masking shared banditry. **In simple terms:** Patriotism hides common selfishness. Key Takeaway Question the narratives that divide groups. Themes nationalism myth conflict Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - political discourse - education - media analysis Key Concepts social identity political ideology Questions to Reflect On - What benefits arise from shared identity? - How can we balance critique with respect? A Different Perspective Such cynicism can overlook genuine cultural pride. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Border](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/border/) [Borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [National borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-borders/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) ## Related quotes > [ They \[ French\] still have an open border in Europe. 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