"The last refuge of a scoundrel is patriotism says Tolstoy in The Reading Circle Not all patriotism of course Patriotism is only acceptable after it has passed through the purifying fire of denial Patriotism is not given to a person but entrusted to him and must be purified of all the filth of selfishness and self absorption that clings to it With a little pressure on the accelerator one could say that patriotism must be endured otherwise it is worthless Especially Russian patriotism."