We talk a great deal about patriotism. 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 which will enable America to remain master of her power.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
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
Though I love my country, I do not love my countrymen.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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 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
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Inventor
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
—Common Proverb
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
National enthusiasm is the great nursery of genius.
—Henry Theodore Tuckerman (1813–71) American Author, Critic
True patriots we; for be it understood we left our country for our country’s good.
—George Barrington (1755–1804) Irish Pickpocket, Superintendent
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
Were it not for patriotism, sterile lands would be deserted.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
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
Every man who loves his country, or wishes well to the best interests of society, will show himself a decided friend not only of morality and the laws, but of religious institutions, and honorably bear his part in supporting them.
—Joel Hawes (1789–1867) American Clergyman
Patriotism is the religion of hell.
—James Branch Cabell (1879–1958) American Author of Fantasy Fiction
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
To me, it seems a dreadful indignity to have a soul controlled by geography.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
What pity is it That we can die, but once to serve our country.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Yippies, Hippies, Yahoos, Black Panthers, lions and tigers alike—I would swap the whole damn zoo for the kind of young Americans I saw in Vietnam.
—Spiro Agnew (1918–96) American Politician, Vice President
It may be true that you can’t fool all the people all the time, but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country.
—William C. Durant (1861–1947) American Industrialist
True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) American Civil Liberties Lawyer
Of the whole sum of human life no small part is that which consists of a man’s relations to his country, and his feelings concerning it.
—William Ewart Gladstone (1809–98) English Liberal Statesman, Prime Minister
Everyone loathes his own country and countrymen if he is any sort of artist.
—Lawrence Durrell (1912–90) English Novelist, Poet, Travel Writer
Do not aspire for public offices; but where there are no men, try thou to be a man.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
My country, right or wrong is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying “My mother, drunk or sober.”
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Next to the love of God, the love of country is the best preventive of crime.
—George Borrow (1803–81) English Writer, Traveler
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