“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Patriotism at its best is love of country paired with the courage to make it better. These quotes explore national pride, civic duty, dissent, and the difference between blind loyalty and the kind of patriotism that demands accountability.
“Patriotism is an instant reaction that fades away when the war starts.”
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
“A nation is a society united by a delusion about its ancestry and by common hatred of its neighbours.”
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”
“Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!”
“A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.”
“I do think the patriotic thing to do is to critique my country. How else do you make a country better but by pointing out its flaws?”
“Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred, and always stronger than internationalism.”
“I want to light the lights of patriotism.”
“Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.”
“You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong no matter who does it or who says it.”
“There is a real patriotism underneath the best of my music but it is a critical, questioning and often angry patriotism.”
“Some versions of patriotism come close to the tribal, which we all want to surpass, and some don't.”
“I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.”
“A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.”
“In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to imbue themselves with the attributes of religion and patriotism as a way of getting greater support for their policy and insulating themselves from any criticism.”