You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or who says it.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood… will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
When a dog barks at the moon, then it is religion; but when he barks at strangers, it is patriotism!
—David Starr Jordan (1851–1931) American Zoologist, Educator, Peace Activist
When was public virtue to be found where private was not? Can he love the whole who loves no part? He be a nation’s friend, who is, in truth, the friend of no man there? Who slights the charities for whose dear sake, that country, if at all, must be beloved?
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.
—Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Were it not for patriotism, sterile lands would be deserted.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
—Barbara Ehrenreich (1941–2022) American Social Critic, Essayist
Love of country is like love of woman—he loves her best who seeks to bestow on her the highest good.
—Felix Adler (1851–1933) German-Born American Philosopher
Patriotism is a kind of religion; it is the egg from which wars are hatched.
—Guy de Maupassant (1850-93) French Novelist, Short-story Writer
Patriotism in its simplest, clearest and most indubitable signification is nothing else but a means of obtaining for the rulers their ambitions and covetous desires, and for the ruled the abdication of human dignity, reason, conscience, and a slavish enthrallment to those in power.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
It is the patriotic duty of every man to lie for his country.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that no man shall have.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
I have learned by much observation, that nothing will satisfy a patriot but a place.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
Let our object be our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. And, by the blessing of God, may that country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom, of peace, and of liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
The proper means of increasing the love we bear to our native country is to reside some time in a foreign one.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
O my Brothers! love your Country. Our Country is our home, the home which God has given us, placing therein a numerous family which we love and are loved by, and with which we have a more intimate and quicker communion of feeling and thought than with others; a family which by its concentration upon a given spot, and by the homogeneous nature of its elements, is destined for a special kind of activity.
—Giuseppe Mazzini (1805–72) Italian Patriot, Political Leader
A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.
—Burton Hillis (William E. Vaughan) (1915–77) American Columnist, Author
Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave, blind as a stone and as irrational as a headless hen.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Patriotism. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
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) French General, Statesman
The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.
—J. William Fulbright (1905–95) American Politician
It is sinful to deceive the government regarding taxes and duties.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The noblest motive is the public good.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land!
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Patriotism is a menace to liberty.
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940) Lithuanian-American Anarchist, Feminist
I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
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