Patriotism Quotes

The word “patriotism” – which I associate to blind love of country – does not echo in me.

Patriotism varies, from a noble devotion to a moral lunacy.

Let America realize that self-scrutiny is not treason, self-examination is not disloyalty.

Wartime accentuates the pressure to be a patriot, especially if one’s country is in physical danger. At such times of national emergency, arguably, unity may be relevant to survival. U.S. wars since World War II have not been of this character. These wars have been distant encounters in the Third World, of dubious legality and […]

But patriotism which measures one’s country by military superiority over all rivals regardless of consequence is irrational… there is surely a more rational form of patriotism that searches for excellence in social, economic and moral spheres rather than in weapon systems.

Only the true god, whose agent is the nation-state, may kill. The state allows whoever accepts these terms to exist, to pursue their own beliefs, and to call themselves what they like in the process. But only the deity may kill our own… Blood sacrifice at the border, or war, is the holiest ritual of […]

True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.

I don’t know whether in Italy you saw and understood what happened in New York when Bush went to thank the rescue men (and women) who are digging in the ruins of the two towers trying to save some survivor but only coming up with the occasional nose or finger – You saw them, didn’t […]

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

He loves his country best who strives to make it best.