You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race

You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race

George Bernard Shaw, the renowned Irish playwright and critic, was known for his sharp wit and biting social commentary. One of his most famous quotes, "You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race," speaks to his belief that blind nationalism and loyalty to one's country can lead to division, conflict, and ultimately, a lack of peace in the world.

Shaw was a staunch critic of patriotism, viewing it as a dangerous and irrational force that could be easily manipulated by those in power to justify war, oppression, and injustice. He believed that patriotism often blinded people to the realities of the world and prevented them from seeing the humanity in others. In his view, true peace and harmony could only be achieved when people transcended their nationalistic allegiances and embraced a more universal sense of brotherhood and solidarity.

Shaw's disdain for patriotism was rooted in his own experiences growing up in Ireland, a country that had long been divided by sectarianism and nationalism. He saw firsthand the destructive effects of blind loyalty to one's country and the ways in which it could be used to justify violence and discrimination. For Shaw, patriotism was a form of tribalism that kept people divided and prevented them from working together for the common good.