"It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind"

Voltaire’s words reveal a tension at the heart of patriotism: the struggle between loyalty to one’s own country and empathy or goodwill toward the rest of humanity. By calling it “lamentable” that a good patriot must become an enemy to others, Voltaire is not merely criticizing love of country, but questioning the attitude that equates patriotism with blind partisanship or exclusive loyalty.

At its core, the sentiment suggests that the conventional notion of patriotism, unquestioning support for one’s nation, can foster division and hostility. When national interests become paramount to the point that they justify aggression, exploitation, or indifference toward outsiders, patriotism turns into a zero-sum game. Voltaire implies that to be hailed as a model citizen, one might be expected or even required to pursue the nation’s interests at any cost, regardless of the consequences for the rest of the world. This dynamic creates a world divided by artificial boundaries and mutual suspicion, where the advancement of one community demands the misfortune of another.

Voltaire’s disappointment lies in the idea that these competing national loyalties undermine a universal sense of morality or humanity. By setting “good patriot” and “enemy of mankind” in direct opposition, he exposes an ethical dilemma: is it noble to support one’s nation unconditionally, or should allegiance to the broader human community take precedence? The implication is that a better society would find a way to reconcile patriotism with cosmopolitanism, cultivating pride in one’s nation without fostering hostility or disregard for others.

Ultimately, Voltaire’s observation warns against the dangers of jingoism and nationalism untethered from compassion or reason. He advocates for a broader, more inclusive sense of solidarity, one that honors the love of country yet recognizes the shared dignity and interests of all people.