In critique of nationalism who said ""Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live"?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

The quote, "Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live," belongs to Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore was a Nobel laureate and a towering figure in Indian literature and philosophy, known for his strong critique of aggressive nationalism. He differentiated between a deep love for one's people and the political ideology of nationalism, which he viewed as a restrictive, aggressive, and often dehumanizing organization that prioritized the nation-state over the universal bonds of humanity. His work, particularly "Nationalism" (1917), elaborated on this idea, emphasizing that human welfare and universalism—the "diamonds"—must never be sacrificed for the narrow, often violent interests of the nation—the "glass." This quote perfectly encapsulates his cosmopolitan and humanitarian vision, positioning humanity as the supreme moral and spiritual refuge above all political boundaries.

The incorrect option is 1:
Mahatma Gandhi, while a fierce proponent of non-violence and universal brotherhood, used a nuanced concept of patriotism that often aligned with his duties towards India's freedom struggle. His patriotism was intertwined with his dedication to swaraj and sarvodaya, but he generally expressed it as selfless service to the nation, not as a rejection of it in favor of humanity. While he might agree with the sentiment of universalism, the dramatic, poetic language distinguishing "glass" (patriotism) from "diamonds" (humanity) is distinctively Tagorean in style and substance, not typical of Gandhi's writings on the subject.

The incorrect option is 3:
Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, logician, and social critic who was indeed a profound critic of nationalism and militarism, especially after the World Wars. Although Russell’s intellectual positions align with the quote's sentiment—favoring rationalism and universal peace over patriotic fervor—he did not pen this specific phrase. His critique was rooted primarily in Western liberal and pacifist traditions, making the inclusion of "spiritual shelter" and "refuge is humanity" less characteristic of his philosophical lexicon compared to Tagore’s.

The incorrect option is 4:
Aurobindo Ghosh (Sri Aurobindo) was a major philosopher and freedom fighter whose views on nationalism were intensely spiritual and highly positive. He saw Indian nationalism as a divine mission and a spiritual evolution, famously describing nationalism as a form of "religion." This perspective is diametrically opposed to the quoted statement, which positions patriotism as a lesser value that should never supersede humanity. Therefore, the quote fundamentally contradicts Sri Aurobindo's primary spiritual and political philosophy regarding the nation.