E. B. White Quotes

The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country? I don't see why people care about patriotism.

A patriot is someone who cares what happens in their country.

There is no limit to the noble aspirations which the words "my country" may evoke.

With all her faults she is my country still.

There is something magnificent in having a country to love.

What is love of one's country; is it hate of one's uncountry? Then it's not a good thing. Is it simply self-love? That's a good thing, but one musn't make a virtue of it, or a profession...Insofar as I love life, I love [my country], but that sort of love does not have a boundary-line of hate. And beyond that, I am ignorant, I hope.

Stand Firm for your country, and become a man Honour'd and lov'd: It were a noble life, To be found dead, embracing her.

Love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism.

What is love of one's country; is it hate of one's uncountry? Then it's not a good thing.

Nationalism, like virtue, has its own reward.

I'm not a monarchist. But I'm English. And I have an irrational emotion for my country.

Patriotism is considered to be an emotion a person ought to feel. But why? Why is it nobler to love your own country than to love someone else's?

Let us abandon this narrow conception of patriotism, which consists of the doctrine, "My country right or wrong." There is a nobler doctrine, ... "My country must always be right.

Patriotism, love of country, and pride in the flag which symbolizes country may be feelings which the race will at some period outgrow, but at present they are very real and strong, and the man who lacks them is a useless creature, a mere encumbrance to the land.

… loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death.

I think patriotism, by its very definition, is love of country. But we seem to have become a country where the highest thing we're reaching for is tolerance.

I don't describe myself as a nationalist, but I do love my country.

I love my country. That's the thing about the Olympics. You're doing it for your country.

The infant, on opening his eyes, ought to see his country, and to the hour of his death never lose sight of it.

Patriotism can be good or bad. Knee-jerk patriotism can be very bad. I'm patriotic almost to the point of self-consciousness, but I love my country the way I love a friend or a child who I would correct if she was going the wrong way. Who I expect the very best from.

I love my country enough to suffer its wrath.

Loyalty must arise spontaneously from the hearts of people who love their country and respect their government.

You're not a patriot unless even when you lose, it's still your country.

One loves one's country the way one loves a family member. And sometimes that family member does really embarrassing, shitty things. But you still love them.

I care more about my country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge.