Country Quote by Patrick O'Brian
“My dear creature, I have done with all debate. But you know as well as I, patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either MY COUNTRY, RIGHT OR WRONG, which is infamous, or MY COUNTRY IS ALWAYS RIGHT, which is imbecile.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, 1969
Patriotism can become blind loyalty or cynical criticism, both extremes ignore nuanced duty.
In simple terms: Patriotism can be extreme and unthinking.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced loyalty.
Themes
patriotism
loyalty
critical thinking
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political debate
- military service
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
nationalism
ethics
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance love for country with moral critique?
- When is dissent patriotic?
A Different Perspective
Patriotism may ignore legitimate grievances.
![“I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But 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.” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a4f/george-washington-257_patriotism_i-know-patriotism-exists-and-i-know-it-h_2859533.jpg)
![“[Patriotism] ...is a word which always commemorates a robbery. There isn't a foot of land in the world which doesn't represent the ousting and re-ousting of a longline of successive "owners" who each in turn, as "patriots" with proud swelling hearts defended it against the next gang of "robbers"…” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/053/mark-twain-22_feet_patriotism-is-a-word-which-always-commem_252789.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
