Status Updates From Nationalism

not for me

"The genius of Europe has given her people the power of organization, which has specially made itself manifest in politics and commerce and in co-ordinating scientific knowledge. The genius of Japan has given you the vision of beauty in nature and the power of realizing it in yout life."

When this organization of politics and commerce, whose other name is the Nation, becomes all-powerful at the cost of the harmony of the higher social life, then it is an evil day for humanity

"True modernism is freedom of mind, not slavery of taste."

Nationalism in the west

Just finished reading the first essay, Nationalism in Japan, and I gotta say I was not aware of your game, Tagore.

I wouldn't be caught dead reading essays if I could help it but unfortunately this is for college and I really, really don't wanna do this :')

Incredible

"The real truth is that science is not man's nature, it is mere knowledge and training. By knowing the laws of the material universe you do not change your deeper humanity. You can borrow knowledge from others, but you cannot borrow temperament."
I sometimes forget that Tagore wrote this in 1917

15

52

Ok

“It is superficial enough to think that all tomorrows are merely todays, with the repeated additions of twenty-four hours.”

“For what are obstacles to the lower creatures are opportunities to the higher life of man.”

“True modernism is freedom of mind, not slavery of taste.”

Really not as smart or insightful as people make it out to be- still good for those wanting to understand the popular (among elites) ideas in the arena of nationalism, especially during the nationwide project of building a national identity during the Indian freedom struggle.

In detaching the mind from the body, we have amputated from the body the soul.

reads very ironic so far in light of the fact that this was published before WW2 yeet

Almost there...

It's really a very easy read.

reached japan
just finished

reached japan

Tagore on British Rule in India
We had known the hordes of Moghals and Pathans who invaded India, but we had known them as human races, with their own religions and customs, likes and dislikes,—we had never known them as a nation.
But this time we had to deal, not with kings, not with human races, but with a nation—we, who are no nation ourselves.

I am in a very weird reading mood today.

Pride in every form breeds blindness at the end.

" But this time we had to deal, not with kings, not with human races, but with a nation- we, who are no nation ourselves."

DNF-ed
very deep

And the idea of the Nation is one of the most powerful anæsthetics that man has invented. Under the influence of its fumes the whole people can carry out its systematic programme of the most virulent self-seeking without being in the least aware of its moral perversion,—in fact feeling dangerously resentful if it is pointed out.

"we have our aspiration for a reality that has no end to its realization,—a reality that goes beyond death, giving it a meaning, that rises above all evils of life, bringing its peace and purity, its cheerful renunciation of self.
- Rabindranath Tagore"