Mark Twain Quotes

...the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation ALL the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.

We must be loyal to the forum of our government.

… my kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country; not to its institutions or it’s office holders..

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

Governor, why wouldn't anyone want to say the Pledge of Allegiance, unless they detested their own country or were ignorant of its greatness?

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.

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

True patriotism is better than the wrong kind of piety.

My father valued patriotism above all other social obligations, but he had his own particular interpretation of just how true patriotism was meant to function.

Gentlemen have talked a great deal of patriotism. A venerable word, when duly practiced. But I am sorry to say that of late it has been so much hackneyed about that it is in danger of falling into disgrace. The very idea of true patriotism is lost, and the term has been prostituted to the very worst of purposes.

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official.

My first allegiance must stay where it has always been, to the people of the United States, my own people.

I hope to find my country in the right: however, I will stand by her, right or wrong.

I feel sorry for those who measure their patriotism by how often and how viciously they can criticize our government.

The primary duty of a citizen is loyalty to country…. It is exhibited by an absolute and unreserved obedience to his country’s call.

Unlike many other peoples less happy, we give our devotion to a Government, to its Constitution, to its flag, and not to men.

We will never be a part of any plot against those who are governing our country.

We all have a loyalty to our country, we want to serve our country. It's in our nature.

My fidelity is to my country, not my political party. Country first.

No citizen of this nation is worthy of the name unless he bears unswerving loyalty to the system under which he lives, the system that gives him more benefits than any other system yet devised by man. Loyalty leaves room to change the system when need be, but only under the ground rules by which we Americans live.

One of the great attractions of patriotism

A true patriot does not confuse government with country. A patriot's loyalty is to his country, and loyalty to country requires holding government accountable.

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. . . .

Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before his eyes that he may cherish in his heart a due attachment to the Union of America and be able to set a due value on the means of preserving it.

Saying you are a patriot is not enough - you have to be one.