devotion to the homeland Quotes

Patriotism is not sentimental nonsense. Nor something dreamed up by demagogues. Patriotism is as necessary a part of man's evolutionary equipment as are his eyes, as useful to the race as eyes are to the individual.

Patriotism is nationalism, and always leads to war.

Patriotism has nothing to do with Conservatism. It is actually the opposite of Conservatism, since it is a devotion to something that is always changing and yet is felt to be mystically the same.

Patriotism has become a mere national self assertion, a sentimentality of flag-cheering with no constructive duties.

Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility.

The difference between treason and patriotism is only a matter of dates.

I wonder that we Americans love our country at all, it having no limits and no oneness; and when you try to make it a matter of the heart, everything falls away except one's native State; -neither can you seize hold of that, unless you tear it out of the Union, bleeding and quivering.

The word patriotism, or its equivalents and derivations, is upon everyone's lips at the present time. It is a magic word which is thought by most people to cover any multitude of sins. To be patriotic in whatever cause is tantamount to being virtuous, while no worse charge can be brought against a man in popular estimation than to say he is unpatriotic.

Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name. In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit it is the first.

Americans should tremble before suggesting that any fellow citizen lacks patriotism.

Patriotism is the principle that will justify the training of wholesale murderers.

Napoleon could never imagine that some people loved their country as much as he loved his own.

Patriotism is a mystery-intangible, invisible, and yet eternal.

Patriotism is not dying for one's country, it is living for one's country. And for humanity. Perhaps that is not as romantic, but it's better.

What defines patriotism, for me, is the idea that one rises to act on behalf of one's country.

In my opinion, patriotism is liberty.

The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice -- and always has been.

The slight reproach to which the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most likely to incur.

My definition of patriotism is to defend your country with the truth, no matter the consequences.

I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.

Patriotism is understood to be that virtue which consists in serving one's country; but in what way is this 'Patria' or country served by slaying its able bodied men in thousands?

Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them.

Patriotism, or the peculiar relation of an individual to his country, is like the family instinct. In the child it is a blind devotion; in the man in intelligent love. The patriot perceives the claim made upon his country by the circumstances and time of her growth and power, and how God is to be served by using those opportunities of helping mankind. Therefore his country's honor is dear to him as his own, and he would as soon lie and steal himself as assist or excuse his country in a crime.

Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.

Who is here so vile that will not love his country?