Edwin Cortes Quotes

Patriotic smugglers in the War of Independence become unpatriotic smugglers after the revolution.

The moment I heard of America I loved her. The moment I knew she was fighting for freedom, I burnt with the desire of bleeding for her.

Every Spaniard who does not conspire with the most active and effective means possible against the tyranny in favour of our just cause will be held as an enemy and a traitor to the fatherland; and in consequence will be inexorably put to the knife. On the other hand, an absolute and general indulgence will be granted to those who pass to our army with or without their arms...Spaniards who render conspicuous service to the State will be treated as Americans...Spaniards and men of the Canary Islands, if you are lukewarm and do not work actively for America’s freedom, you may be certain of death. Americans, even if you have done wrong, you may be certain of life.

I am a subject of the British Crown, but whenever I have to choose between the interests of England and Canada it is manifest to me that the interests of my country are identical with those of the United States of America.

I am proud to be a traitor to America.

By the blood that flows in my veins and upon my honor, I swear to God to free Brazil!

Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.

We pledge to you the sacrifice of our lives and property in support of whatever measures the dignity and liberties of the free sovereign and independent State may seem to your wisdom to demand.

Those who like Italy better than America should return to Italy. [Few did. Many enlisted.]

We cannot in this country conceive that there are men in England so infatuated as seriously suspect the Congress, or people here, of a wish to erect ourselves into an independent state…. I have never met one individual so inclined.

Union or death!

The cause of the Poles is the cause of Europe and I can boldly affirm that whoever does not honor the Poles… does not love his own motherland.

God save Ireland, said the heroes God save Ireland said they all. Whether on the scaffold high, Or the battle field we die O’ what matter when for Ireland dear we fall.

I mean, Turkey is my country. You know, it's my flag. That is where we're raised... My family is born there. So that's why, like, it's tough to see that... your country don't want you.

If you don't think that your country should come before yourself, you can better serve your country by livin' someplace else.

We must endeavor to forget our former love for them [the British] and to hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

Country comes before politics.

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 am not the flag: not at all. I am but its shadow.

I distinguish, between nationalism and patriotism.

My position is that it isn't government's job to mandate patriotism. To me, mandating a pledge of allegiance to a government is something Saddam Hussein would do.

When it applies to the Olympics and making a decision, I have to claim Australia as my country.

America took me into her bosom when there was no longer a country worthy of the name, but in my heart I am German - German in my soul.

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.

The relationship I have to my fatherland is like that of mothers with crippled children: they love them all the more, the more crippled they are. Germany is the background of all my plans, the return to Germany.