--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: True patriotism sometimes requires of men…" description: "\"True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/robert-e-lee-2368_desire_true-patriotism-sometimes-requires-of-me_1527335.png" --- # True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly… ![“True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them the desire to do right is precisely the same.” quote by Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/robert-e-lee-2368_desire_true-patriotism-sometimes-requires-of-me_1527335.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/robert-e-lee-2368_desire_true-patriotism-sometimes-requires-of-me_1527335.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/robert-e-lee-2368_desire_true-patriotism-sometimes-requires-of-me_1527335.png) > “True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them the desire to do right is precisely the same.” [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) ## 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 demand contradictory actions over time, driven by the same moral drive to do what is right. **In simple terms:** Patriotism may require opposite actions at different times. Key Takeaway Recognize that moral duty can change with context. Themes duty contradiction morality Mood reflective serious thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - war decision - civil rights activism - policy reform - leadership challenges Key Concepts ethical consistency political pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile changing actions with a steady moral compass? - When is it justified to act contrary to past positions? A Different Perspective Moral consistency can be hard to maintain when circumstances shift. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [True patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-patriotism/) ## Related quotes > [The truth is paradoxical to the extent of being exactly contrary to the usual perception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-bataille/the-truth-is-paradoxical-to-the-extent-of-being-exactly-contrary-to/) [Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-bataille/) > [My mission is to see things as they are. Exactly contrary of a mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/my-mission-is-to-see-things-as-they-are-exactly-contrary-of-a-mission/) [Emile M. 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I want to see the military rising to dignified heights of professionalism and true patriotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/i-don-t-want-to-see-the-military-falling-i-want-to-see-the-military/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [There are no points of the compass on the chart of true patriotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-charles-winthrop/there-are-no-points-of-the-compass-on-the-chart-of-true-patriotism/) [Robert Charles Winthrop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-charles-winthrop/) ## More by Robert E. Lee > [Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/live-in-the-world-you-inhabit-look-upon-things-as-they-are-take-them/) [Robert E. 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