"A state always calls itself fatherland when it is ready for murder"
- Friedrich Durrenmatt
About this Quote
This quote by Friedrich Durrenmatt is a commentary on the power of nationalism and patriotism. It suggests that when a state wants to dedicate acts of violence in the name of its own interests, it will often describe itself as a "fatherland" in order to validate its actions. This implies that the state is willing to compromise its people in order to safeguard its own interests, which it is willing to utilize violence to accomplish its goals. The quote also indicates that patriotism and nationalism can be used to control people into supporting the state's actions, even if those actions are morally doubtful. Ultimately, the quote suggests that patriotism and nationalism can be utilized to validate violence and oppression, which states need to be held liable for their actions.
"The head of the CIA, it seems to me, would think long and hard before he admitted that former employees of his had been involved in the murder of the President of the United States-even if they weren't acting on behalf of the Agency when they did it"
"It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too much. I can see myself doing it. In England, one feels all the social restraints holding one back. But here, anything can happen"
