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Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.
~~ Charles De Gaulle ~~ (1890 - 1970)

This, in my view, is a true and classic definition of the difference between patriotism and nationalism. The line between the two becomes very fuzzy because those who espouse the feelings of nationalism almost never openly admit their hatred towards others.

There is nothing wrong in being a patriot and to love your people or country and apply your efforts to improve their lot in life. While doing that, a patriot harbors no feelings of ill will or hatred towards other peoples or nations.

Nationalism, on the other hand, has less to do with improving the lot of one’s own people or nation and more to do with the hatred of others. It essentially conceives others as evil who can do nothing right or useful. Nationalism is a very negative and dangerous concept.

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