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    Oliver Goldsmith observes a group of men arguing about the character of different European nations. One man declares that the English excel all other nations in virtues like bravery and generosity, while disparaging the traits of other groups. When asked his opinion, the narrator argues that impartial observers may judge other nations' traits differently. He angers the patriotic man but reflects on the absurdity of national prejudice. Goldsmith argues that true gentlemen are free from such biases and that love of one's country need not involve hating others. He prefers the title of "citizen of the world" to being defined by nationality alone.

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    Oliver Goldsmith observes a group of men arguing about the character of different European nations. One man declares that the English excel all other nations in virtues like bravery and generosity, while disparaging the traits of other groups. When asked his opinion, the narrator argues that impartial observers may judge other nations' traits differently. He angers the patriotic man but reflects on the absurdity of national prejudice. Goldsmith argues that true gentlemen are free from such biases and that love of one's country need not involve hating others. He prefers the title of "citizen of the world" to being defined by nationality alone.

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    2K views5 pages

    'On National Prejudices' Oliver Goldsmith

    Uploaded by

    Smriti Thakur
    Oliver Goldsmith observes a group of men arguing about the character of different European nations. One man declares that the English excel all other nations in virtues like bravery and generosity, while disparaging the traits of other groups. When asked his opinion, the narrator argues that impartial observers may judge other nations' traits differently. He angers the patriotic man but reflects on the absurdity of national prejudice. Goldsmith argues that true gentlemen are free from such biases and that love of one's country need not involve hating others. He prefers the title of "citizen of the world" to being defined by nationality alone.

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    'On National Prejudices'

    Oliver Goldsmith

    Tribe of Mortals
    "As I am one of that sauntering tribe of mortals, who spend the
    greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places
    of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite
    variety of characters, which, to a person of a contemplative turn, is a
    much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art or
    nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the
    company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm
    dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were
    equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to
    me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation."
    Character of Nations
    "Amongst a multiplicity of other topics, we took occasion to talk of the
    different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the
    gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as
    if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own
    person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches;
    the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were
    drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty,
    and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in
    every other virtue, the English excelled all the world."
    Judicious Remark
    "This very learned and judicious remark was received with a general
    smile of approbation by all the company--all, I mean, but your humble
    servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, I
    reclined my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture
    of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else,
    and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by
    these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself,
    and thereby depriving the gentlemen of his imaginary happiness."
    Pseudo Patriot
    "But my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me escape so easily. Not
    satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was
    determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the
    company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of
    inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not in the same way of
    thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when
    I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am
    obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real
    sentiments. I, therefore, told him that, for my own part, I should not
    have ventured to talk in such a peremptory strain, unless I had made
    the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several
    nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial
    judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and
    industrious, the French more temperate and polite,
    the Germans more hardy and patient of labour and fatigue, and the
    Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though
    undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash,
    headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and
    to despond in adversity."
    A Jealous Eye
    I could easily perceive that all of the company began to regard me with
    a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner
    done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous
    sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the
    conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy
    the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were
    inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my
    sentiments, I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and
    given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well
    knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of
    themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own
    lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national
    prejudice and prepossession.
    Philosophers of Antiquity
    "Among all the famous sayings of antiquity, there is none that does
    greater honour to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader
    (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart) than
    that of the philosopher, who, being asked what "countryman he was,"
    replied that he was a citizen of the world. How few there are to be
    found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is
    consistent with such a profession! We are now become so much
    Englishmen, Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards, or Germans, that we
    are no longer citizens of the world; so much the natives of one
    particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer
    consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe or members
    of that grand society which comprehends the whole humankind."
    Correcting Prejudices
    "Did these prejudices prevail only among the meanest and lowest of
    the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any,
    opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing
    with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and
    influence the conduct even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who
    have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice,
    which, however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the
    characteristical mark of a gentleman: for let a man's birth be ever so
    high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he
    is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to
    tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to
    the character of a gentleman.
    And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of
    national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on,
    than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists
    around the sturdy oak for no other reason in the world but because it
    has not strength sufficient to support itself."
    Love of Country
    "Should it be alleged in defense of national prejudice, that it is the
    natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that
    therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter,
    I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth
    of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and
    necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm
    too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to
    affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They
    are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant; but not its
    natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off,
    without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once
    they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect
    health and vigour."
    Citizen of the World
    "Is it not very possible that I may love my own country, without hating
    the natives of other countries? that I may exert the most heroic
    bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and
    liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and
    poltroons? Most certainly it is: and if it were not--But why need I
    suppose what is absolutely impossible?--but if it were not, I must own,
    I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, namely, a citizen
    of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or
    to any other appellation whatever."

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