Acting Quote by George Lakoff
“Empathy - that is, caring about people and acting responsibly on that care, not just for yourself, but for others - this is something that Barack Obama understands very well. He was a professor of constitutional law at the University of Chicago for ten years. As an expert on the Constitution and on our family values, he understands very well that the country is fundamentally about caring for one another. The day after his speech, he was interviewed on CNN, and Anderson Cooper asked him what patriotism was. He said patriotism begins with caring for one another.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: CNN with Anderson Cooper, 2009
Patriotism is caring for fellow citizens, not just self‑interest.
In simple terms: Patriotism = caring for others.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize community welfare.
Themes
civic duty
empathy
national identity
social responsibility
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community service
- education
- national discourse
Key Concepts
political theory
psychology of morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can empathy shape public policy?
- What actions embody true patriotism?
A Different Perspective
Caring alone may not address systemic issues.
![“We are sometimes asked in the name of patriotism to forget the merits of this fearful struggle [the Civil War], and to remember with equal admiration those who struck at the nation’s life, and those who struck to save it—those who fought for slavery, and those who fought for liberty and justice. I…” quote by Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/886/frederick-douglass-859_civil-war_we-are-sometimes-asked-in-the-name-of-pa_1761326.jpg)
![“As I said before, [patriotism] is distinct from acting to benefit the government - a distinction that's increasingly lost today.” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/71f/edward-snowden-555_acting_as-i-said-before-patriotism-is-distinct_2341104.jpg)
