patriotism quotes

Adlai Stevenson: 

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.

Barbara Ehrenreich: 

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Bill Vaughan: 

A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election.

Carl Schurz: 

The peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: "Our country -- when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right."

Carl Schurz: 

My Country! When right keep it right; when wrong, set it right!

Daniel Webster: 

I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American! July 1850 speech

David Hume: 

The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery; standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy.

Edith Cavell: 

I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.

Edward R. Murrow: 

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

Emma Goldman: 

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.

Felix Adler: 

Love of country is like love of woman -- he loves her best who seeks to bestow on her the highest good.

G. K. Chesterton: 

"My country, right or wrong" is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying "My mother, drunk or sober."

George Bernard Shaw: 

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.

George Bernard Shaw: 

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.

George Bernard Shaw: 

Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?"
frequently attributed to Robert F. (Bobby) Kennedy, who used it in a speech which his brother, Edward F. (Teddy) Kennedy quoted at RFK's funeral.


George Jean Nathan: 

Patriotism is a arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

George Santayana: 

A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.

George Washington: 

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 William Curtis: 

A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

Goethe: 

Patriotism ruins history.

H. L. Mencken: 

The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.

H. L. Mencken: 

In the United States, doing good has come to be, like patriotism, a favorite device of persons with something to sell.

Henry Steele Commager: 

Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.

Hermann Goering: 

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country. quote verified at snopes.com

Howard Thurman: 

During times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of patriotism.

James Baldwin: 

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.

Jane Addams: 

Unless our conception of patriotism is progressive, it cannot hope to embody the real affection and the real interest of the nation.

Jawaharial Nehru: 

A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the sound of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.

John F. Kennedy: 

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Margaret Chase Smith: 

Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.

Mark Twain: 

The nation is divided, half patriots and half traitors, and no man can tell which from which.

Mark Twain: 

Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let me label you as they may.

Mark Twain: 

The government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.

Norman Thomas: 

If you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag; wash it.

Pablo Casals: 

The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

Patrick Henry: 

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775

Rabbi Sherwin Wine: 

There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.

The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.

This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: 

When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and the purity of its heart.
Journals, 1824


Samuel Johnson: 

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Sinclair Lewis: 

When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.

Sydney J. Harris: 

Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.

Theodore Roosevelt: 

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. (1918)

Wendy Kaminer: 

Patriotism does not oblige us to acquiesce in the destruction of liberty. Patriotism obliges us to question it, at least. [source]

William O. Douglas: 

Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.

Zora Neale Hurston: 

I will fight for my country, but I will not lie for her.