Critical Loyalty Quotes

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

I don't care a damn for your loyal service when you think I am right; when I really want it most is when you think I am wrong.

The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain.

I want to caution that we must not confuse patriotism with blind endorsement of bad policies.

A healthy loyalty is not passive and complacent, but active and critical.

Show respect for those in power, but do not follow them blindly.

Question everyone in authority, and see that you get sensible answers to your questions ... questioning does not mean the end of loving, and loving does not mean the abnegation of intelligence. Vow as much love to your country as you like ... but, I implore you, do not forget to question.

The concept of loyalty is distorted when it is understood to mean blind acceptance. It is correctly interpreted when it is assumed to cover honest criticism.

As Muslims, our interests are our values. In any society, be it in Western or Muslim-majority countries, our duty is that of critical loyalty: Staying loyal to our countries by always being critically engaged in the name of the principles of justice, equality and human brotherhood. We should be the ethical and moral voice wherever we are by saying that, even though we understand economic and geo-strategic interests, we cannot accept a violation of these principles by any society.

You can be a patriotic American and be a critic, but then you're not expressing that kind of love that we're used to from a president.