PATRIOTISM QUOTES II
quotations about patriotism
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.
SYDNEY J. HARRIS
Pieces of Eight
The flavor of patriotism depends upon its habitat.
JOSEPH SMITH
Life Magazine, July 1900
Patriotism is quite literally, a cult.
MICAH ARMSTRONG
"Patriotism Is the World's Largest and Most Dangerous Cult", Indian Country, July 15, 2015
Inculcating patriotism is an important goal, but when it distorts the truth it becomes little more than a form of propaganda.
WALT GARDNER
"The right way to teach patriotism at school", Japan Times, March 26, 2016
By patriotism is meant, not only spontaneous, instinctive love for one's own nation, and preference for it above all other nations, but also the belief that such love and preference are good and useful.
LEO TOLSTOY
letter to a Polish journalist, September 1895
Every man, by consulting his own heart, may easily know whether he is or is not a patriot. But it is not so easy for the by-standers.
GEORGE BERKELEY
"Maxims Concerning Patriotism", Works
Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam,
His first, best country ever is, at home.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH
The Traveller
Totalitarianism is patriotism institutionalized.
STEVE ALLEN
Reflections
The word patriotism, or its equivalents and derivations, is upon everyone's lips at the present time. It is a magic word which is thought by most people to cover any multitude of sins. To be patriotic in whatever cause is tantamount to being virtuous, while no worse charge can be brought against a man in popular estimation than to say he is unpatriotic.
ERNEST BELFORT BAX
Essays in Socialism
Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.
JOHN ADAMS
letter to Benjamin Rush, April 18, 1808
Nationalism is our form of incest, is our idolatry, is our insanity. "Patriotism" is its cult. It should hardly be necessary to say, that by "patriotism" I mean that attitude which puts the own nation above humanity, above the principles of truth and justice; not the loving interest in one's own nation, which is the concern with the nation's spiritual as much as with its material welfare -- never with its power over other nations. Just as love for one individual which excludes the love for others is not love, love for one's country which is not part of one's love for humanity is not love, but idolatrous worship.
ERICH FROMM
The Sane Society
Patriotism for me is when people put their ideas into the work. Your love for your country is only in your work.
SUDHIR MISHRA
"Discussion on patriotism is artificial", IBN Live, March 18, 2016
I never considered myself a patriot. I like to think I recognize only humanity as my nation.
ISAAC ASIMOV
Foundation's Edge
A great deal of what passes by the name of patriotism in these days consists of the merest bigotry and narrow-mindedness; exhibiting itself in national prejudice, national conceit, and national hatred. It does not show itself in deeds, but in boastings--in howlings, gesticulations, and shrieking helplessly for help--in flying flags and singing songs--and in perpetual grinding at the hurdy-gurdy of long-dead grievances and long-remedied wrongs. To be infested by such a patriotism as this is perhaps among the greatest curses that can befall any country.
SAMUEL SMILES
Character
In our day the feeling of patriotism is an unnatural, irrational, and harmful feeling, and a cause of a great part of the ills from which mankind is suffering; and ... consequently, this feeling should not be cultivated, as is now being done, but should, on the contrary, be suppressed and eradicated by all means available to rational men.
LEO TOLSTOY
Essays and Letters
True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Book of Common Sense Etiquette
Patriotism is a salt against rottenness, a glorious spur to high endeavour; it recovers the half-obliterated virtue of loyalty, calls every man to service, and ennobles great and small alike.
PERCY DEARMER
Patriotism
We have no national idea besides patriotism, and there can be no other.
VLADIMIR PUTIN
"Putin: Patriotism is only possible 'national idea' for Russians", Russia Beyond the Headlines, February 4, 2016
Patriotism is the essential ingredient of nationhood.
GOPALKRISHNA GANDHI
"Narrow nationalism is chauvinism, says Gandhi's grandson", The Times of India, March 21, 2016
Patriotism! It is used to define so many diversities, to justify so many wrongs, to compass so many ends, that its life is killed out; it becomes a dead word in the vocabulary--a blank counter, to be moved to any part of the game; and that flag which, streaming from the mast-head of our ship of state, striped with martyr-blood, and glistening with the stars of lofty promise, should always indicate our worldwide mission, and the glorious destinies that we carry forward, is bandied about in every selfish skirmish, and held up as the symbol of every political privateer.
E. H. CHAPIN
Living Words