Christianity and Patriotism
which worries and torments them will change of itself with no effort. It is shameful to say how little is needed to set all men free from all the calamities which now oppress them; all that is needed is to give up lying. Only let men refuse to give in to the lie which is instilled into them, let them only not say what they do not think and what they do not feel, and at once there would be such a revolution in every stratum of our life as the revolutionists could not attain in centuries, even if all the power were in their hands.
If only men would believe that strength is not in force but in truth, and would boldly utter it, or at least would not depart from it in word and deed, would not say what they do not think, would not do what they consider wrong and stupid.
What is there of importance in shouting "Vive la France !" or "Hurrah!" to some Emperor, King, or conqueror; in putting on a court uniform and waiting for him at the entrance, in bowing and scraping, and calling him by strange titles, and then impressing upon all young and uneducated people that doing this is very praiseworthy? Or what is there of importance in writing an article in defence of the Franco-Russian Alliance, or of the tariff war, or in criticism of the Germans, the Russians, the French, or the English? Or what is there of importance in going to
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