" The nationalist does not go on the principle of simply ganging up with the strongest side. On the contrary, having picked his side, he persuades himself that it is the strongest, and is able to stick to his belief even when the
facts are overwhelmingly against him. Nationalism is power-hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable
of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also—since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself—unshakeably certain of being in the right. "

― George Orwell , Notes on Nationalism