--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My dear creature, I have done with all…" description: "\"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,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a31/patrick-o-brian-2283_country_my-dear-creature-i-have-done-with-all-de_3090370.jpg" --- # My dear creature, I have done with all debate. But you… ![“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.” quote by Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a31/patrick-o-brian-2283_country_my-dear-creature-i-have-done-with-all-de_3090370.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a31/patrick-o-brian-2283_country_my-dear-creature-i-have-done-with-all-de_3090370.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a31/patrick-o-brian-2283_country_my-dear-creature-i-have-done-with-all-de_3090370.jpg) > “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.” [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Right or wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-or-wrong/) ## Related quotes > [“Patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/patriotism-is-a-word-and-one-that-generally-comes-to-mean-either-my/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“But you know as well as I, patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/but-you-know-as-well-as-i-patriotism-is-a-word-and-one-that-generally/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“I would not cross this room to reform parliament or prevent the union or to bring about the millennium... - but man as part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/i-would-not-cross-this-room-to-reform-parliament-or-prevent-the-union/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [ I know \[patriotism\] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting war can never be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-know-patriotism-exists-and-i-know-it-has-done-much-in-the-present/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [ \[Patriotism\] ...is a word which always commemorates a robbery. 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That I have a master,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/christ-s-blood-in-heaven-you-ignorant-incompetent-whey-faced/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“To tell the truth, sir, I believe I had rather sit in the shelter for a while. The cabbage seems to have turned my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/to-tell-the-truth-sir-i-believe-i-had-rather-sit-in-the-shelter-for-a/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“Never mind the disappointment. Salt water will wash it away. 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