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 not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
The noblest motive is the public good.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Shall we then judge a country by the majority, or by the minority? By the minority, surely. ‘Tis pedantry to estimate nations by the census, or by square miles of land, or other than by their importance to the mind of the time.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The age of virtuous politics is past, and we are deep in that of cold pretence.—Patriots are grown too shrewd to be sincere, and we too wise to trust them.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
It is sinful to deceive the government regarding taxes and duties.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
I have learned by much observation, that nothing will satisfy a patriot but a place.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
Patriotism is collective responsibility.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
A tide began to surge beneath the calm surface of Stephen’s friendliness.
This race and this country and this life produced me, he said. I shall express myself as I am.
Try to be one of us, repeated Davin. In your heart you are an Irishman but your pride is too powerful.
My ancestors threw off their language and took another, Stephen said. They allowed a handful of foreigners to subject them. Do you fancy that I am going to pay in my own life and person debts they made? What for?
For our freedom, said Davin.
No honourable and sincere man, said Stephen, has given up to you his life and his youth and his affections from the days of Wolfe Tone to those of Parnell, but you sold him to the enemy or failed him in need or reviled him and left him for another. And you invite me to be one of you. I’d see you damned first.
They died for their ideals, Stevie, said Davin. Our day will come yet, believe me.
Stephen, following his own thought, was silent for an instant…
When the soul of a man is born in this country there are nets flung to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language, religion. I shall try to fly by those nets … Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow.
—James Joyce (1882–1941) Irish Novelist, Poet
Patriotism ruins history.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Patriotism is the religion of hell
—James Branch Cabell (1879–1958) American Author of Fantasy Fiction
Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred, and always stronger than internationalism
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
Every good citizen makes his country’s honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and its conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) American Head of State
A man’s feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
My country wrong or right, is like saying my mother, drunk or sober.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
It is a sweet and seemly thing to die for one’s country.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility… a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
Patriotism, when it wants to make itself felt in the domain of learning, is a dirty fellow who should be thrown out of doors.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
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
Patriotism is a menace to liberty.
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940) Lithuanian-American Anarchist, Feminist
I do love my country’s good with a respect more tender, more holy and profound than mine own life.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
Were it not for patriotism, sterile lands would be deserted.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The love of country produces good manners; and good manners, love of country.—The less we satisfy our individual passions, the more we leave to our general.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Who saves his country violates no law.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Pray for the welfare of the government, since if it were not for the awe which it inspires, men would swallow each other alive.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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