Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
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
The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.
—J. William Fulbright (1905–95) American Political leader, Politician
Do not isolate thyself from the community and its interests.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
What pity is it That we can die, but once to serve our country.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
God has given you your country as cradle, and humanity as mother; you cannot rightly love your brethren of the cradle if you love not the common mother.
—Giuseppe Mazzini (1805–72) Italian Patriot, Political Leader
You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such an obligation upon any part of the American people. My country owes me no debt. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. My whole life has taught me what America means. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay.
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) 31st American President
Patriotism … is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit.
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940) Lithuanian-American Anarchist, Feminist
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
Yet some can be patriotic who have no self-respect, and sacrifice the greater to the less. They love the soil which makes their graves, but have no sympathy with the spirit which may still animate their clay. Patriotism is a maggot in their heads.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of goodwill! In such a place even I would be an ardent patriot.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
I have learned by much observation, that nothing will satisfy a patriot but a place.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
Who saves his country violates no law.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Never was patriot yet, but was a fool.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
My country is the world; my countrymen are mankind.
—William Lloyd Garrison (1805–79) American Journalist, Abolitionist
My country wrong or right, is like saying my mother, drunk or sober.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Patriotism is collective responsibility.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
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
Patriotism varies, from a noble devotion to a moral lunacy
—William Motter Inge (1913–73) American Playwright, Novelist
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
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
I think patriotism is like charity—it begins at home.
—Henry James (1843–1916) American-born British Novelist, Writer
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, 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
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
Be just and fear not; let all the ends thou aimest at be thy country’s, thy God’s, and truth’s.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
He who revolts against the government commits as great a sin as if he revolted against God.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
You’ll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
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
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
There can be no affinity nearer than our country.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
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, Radical, Inventor
True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) American Civil Liberties Lawyer
What is patriotism but the love of the good things we ate in our childhood?
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
Some reformers may urge that in the ages distant future, patriotism, like the habit of monogamous marriage, will become a needless and obsolete virtue; but just at present the man who loves other countries as much as he does his own is quite as noxious a member of society as the man who loves other women as much as he loves his wife. Love of country is an elemental virtue, like love of home.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
Colonies do not cease to be colonies because they are independent.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
—Common Proverb
Though I love my country, I do not love my countrymen.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
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
It is sinful to deceive the government regarding taxes and duties.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.
—George Jean Nathan (1882–1958) American Drama Critic, Editor
Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
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
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