Pete Seeger Quotes

… disagreement with the policies of the government is not evidence of lack of patriotism.

I saw courage both in the Vietnam War and in the struggle to stop it. I learned that patriotism includes protest, not just military service.

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

I love my country but fear my government.

It’s almost impossible to love your country and hate your government.

The highest form of patriotism is dissent.

It is dissent from government policies which defines the true Patriot

You know, when we get to a point in this country where dissent is extremism, we've turned, I think, a very dark page in our history. And I don't want us to go there. I encourage Americans and I'm - right now, to go to these town hall meetings, to - to talk to your Congressmen, the people that you elected.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

Political criticism is our enemies' best friend.

I was the guy who was constantly speaking out against the Vietnam War. I have no regrets about that.

A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

Challenging leaders is as American as it gets.

The Iraq War. No one took to the streets over it. It certainly would have been appropriate. If anybody even hinted we should... you were called un-American and not supporting the troops.

I was arrested in 1965 for opposing the war in Vietnam. There were 39 of us arrested that day. But thousands opposed us. And the majority of the people in the country supported the war then.

During President George W. Bush's two terms, you couldn't drive far without seeing a particular bumper sticker: 'Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.'

Patriotism without criticism has no head; criticism without patriotism has no heart..

Now, when our nation to ruin's brink is verging, let us speak while there is time! Now, when the padlocks for our lips are forging. Silence is crime!

So long as my voice can be heard on this or the other side of the Atlantic, I will hold up America to the lightning scorn of moral indignation. In doing this, I shall feel myself discharging the duty of a true patriot; for he is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins.

I believe to go along to get along is unpatriotic. I believe that agreeing with your government on everything they do is unpatriotic. I believe a patriot stands up and holds your government's feet to the fire. Because if you do that, you will get good government.

For me to speak out against the war in Iraq, you know - most of my fans are lefties anyway, so I don't really get much flack for it.

The real truth is, I just want to keep the voice of dissent alive in all of our elections. I don't really want to hang out with politicians.

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.

There is a real patriotism underneath the best of my music but it is a critical, questioning and often angry patriotism.

I love Canada. I am from Canada. I will bash the Canadian government but never Canada.