--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Patriotism is a thing difficult to put…" description: "\"“Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind -- a reflecti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/vera-nazarian-1671_4th-of-july_patriotism-is-a-thing-difficult-to-put-i_2305041.png" --- # Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is… ![“Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind -- a reflection of our own personal sense of worth, and respect for our roots. Love of country plays a part, but it's not merely love. Neither is it pride…” quote by Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/vera-nazarian-1671_4th-of-july_patriotism-is-a-thing-difficult-to-put-i_2305041.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/vera-nazarian-1671_4th-of-july_patriotism-is-a-thing-difficult-to-put-i_2305041.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/vera-nazarian-1671_4th-of-july_patriotism-is-a-thing-difficult-to-put-i_2305041.png) > ““Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind -- a reflection of our own personal sense of worth, and respect for our roots. Love of country plays a part, but it's not merely love. Neither is it pride, although pride too is one of the ingredients. Patriotism is a commitment to what is best inside us all. And it's a recognition of that wondrous common essence in our greater surroundings -- our school, team, city, state, our immediate society -- often ultimately delineated by our ethnic roots and borders... but not always. Indeed, these border lines are so fluid... And we do not pay allegiance as much as we resonate with a shared spirit. We all feel an undeniable bond with the land where we were born. And yet, if we leave it for another, we grow to feel a similar bond, often of a more complex nature. Both are forms of patriotism -- the first, involuntary, by birth, the second by choice. Neither is less worthy than the other. But one is earned.”” [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Patriotism is a mindset reflecting personal worth and respect for roots, encompassing love, pride, and commitment to shared values beyond mere emotion or opinion. **In simple terms:** Patriotism is a personal commitment to shared values and roots. Key Takeaway Cultivate respect for shared community values. Themes identity belonging values community roots Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - immigration - education - community building - personal development Key Concepts psychology social cohesion nationalism Questions to Reflect On - How do you express patriotism beyond national symbols? - Can patriotism be earned through actions? A Different Perspective Patriotism can be co‑opted for exclusionary politics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [4th of july](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/4th-of-july/) [Allegiance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allegiance/) [Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bond/) [Bonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonds/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Commit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commit/) [Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committed/) [Committment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committment/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Earned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earned/) [Forms Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forms-patriotism-5457991/) [Independence day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence-day/) [Ingredients Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingredients-patriotism-5457990/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love-of-country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-of-country-113042/) [Loyalty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalty/) [Patriot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriot/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Patriotism Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism-commitment-5181337/) [Patriotism Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism-thing-2595494/) [Patriots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriots/) [Pledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledge/) [Pledging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledging-145548/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [I don't like the showy nationalism - a tattoo, wrapping yourself in a flag - that doesn't matter to me. 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Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-d-higgins/) > [“I asked, “When the Rebellions were at its peak doing nonsense, everyone was trying to keep away from the area, yet you were going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drexel-deal/i-asked-when-the-rebellions-were-at-its-peak-doing-nonsense-everyone/) [Drexel Deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drexel-deal/) > [I define nothing. Not beauty, not patriotism. I take each thing as it is, without prior rules about what it should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/i-define-nothing-not-beauty-not-patriotism-i-take-each-thing-as-it-is/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [“every man has a map in his heart of his own country and that the heart will never allow you to forget this map.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/every-man-has-a-map-in-his-heart-of-his-own-country-and-that-the/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [“Give yourself and those in need an elixir of life by pledging your organs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohith-agadi/give-yourself-and-those-in-need-an-elixir-of-life-by-pledging-your/) [Mohith Agadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohith-agadi/) > [When you make a commitment to yourself, do so with the clear understanding that you're pledging your integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-you-make-a-commitment-to-yourself-do-so-with-the-clear/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“It was once necessary to go from somebody to nothing to become everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darnell-lamont-walker/it-was-once-necessary-to-go-from-somebody-to-nothing-to-become/) [Darnell Lamont Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darnell-lamont-walker/) > [“Old Glory in her majesty has so many promises in her wave that we have no choice but to keeping pledging and waving right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-dent-jr/old-glory-in-her-majesty-has-so-many-promises-in-her-wave-that-we/) [Johnnie Dent Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-dent-jr/) ## More by Vera Nazarian > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Colored lights blink on and off, racing across the green boughs. Their reflections dance across exquisite glass globes and splinter into shards against tinsel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/colored-lights-blink-on-and-off-racing-across-the-green-boughs-their/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [It does not take a great supernatural heroine or magical hero to save the world.We all save it every day, and we all destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-does-not-take-a-great-supernatural-heroine-or-magical-hero-to-save/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Here's a new 'Blessing' for our time -- 'May Anderson Cooper never be sent to report on your town!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/here-s-a-new-blessing-for-our-time-may-anderson-cooper-never-be-sent/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [When you wake up from a dream you have only a few precious moments before the details of the dream begin to dissipate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/when-you-wake-up-from-a-dream-you-have-only-a-few-precious-moments/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“It's a fact— everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepest secret. And it is one of the scariest things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-s-a-fact-everyone-is-ignorant-in-some-way-or-another-ignorance-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us who finds the strength to get up first,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/was-it-you-or-i-who-stumbled-first-it-does-not-matter-the-one-of-us/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Meditation is a mysterious method of self-restoration. It involves “shutting” out the outside world, and by that means sensing the universal “presence” which is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/meditation-is-a-mysterious-method-of-self-restoration-it-involves/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [The great miraculous bell of translucent ice is suspended in mid-air. It rings to announce endings and beginnings. And it rings because there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-great-miraculous-bell-of-translucent-ice-is-suspended-in-mid-air/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Unlike a fountain that circulates the same water in an enclosed, perpetually recycling system, a human being circulates thoughts in an unlimited reservoir of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/unlike-a-fountain-that-circulates-the-same-water-in-an-enclosed/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [I've always been creative verbally, had a flair, my teachers said - wrote great expository essays in elementary school, scribbled little poems, embraced all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/i-ve-always-been-creative-verbally-had-a-flair-my-teachers-said-wrote/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [One sin seldom mentioned is that of killing time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/one-sin-seldom-mentioned-is-that-of-killing-time/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [The sand in the hourglass runs from one compartment to the other, marking the passage of moments with something constant and tangible.If you watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-sand-in-the-hourglass-runs-from-one-compartment-to-the-other/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/when-you-reach-for-the-stars-you-are-reaching-for-the-farthest-thing/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) [Explore all 217 Vera Nazarian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) ## More 4th of july quotes > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Me and my cuzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lol/me-and-my-cuzin/) [Lol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lol/) > [Many public-school children seem to know only two dates—1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/many-public-school-children-seem-to-know-only-two-dates-1492-and-4th/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/interwoven-as-is-the-love-of-liberty-with-every-ligament-of-your/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [When wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-wrongs-are-pressed-because-it-is-believed-they-will-be-borne/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-impossible-to-rightly-govern-the-world-without-god-and-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [My first wish is to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/my-first-wish-is-to-see-this-plague-of-mankind-banished-from-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. 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Its the day we got the freedom we use everyday. Its not fireworks and parties.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-have-forgotten-what-4th-of-july-really-is-its-the-day-we-got/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I usually don't have a burger, a brat, and a steak but it is 4th of July. And I need the energy if I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-usually-don-t-have-a-burger-a-brat-and-a-steak-but-it-is-4th-of/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) [Browse all 309 4th of july quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/4th-of-july/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind -- a reflection of our own personal sense of worth, and respect for our roots. Love of country plays a part, but it's not merely love. Neither is it pride, although pride too is one of the ingredients. Patriotism is a commitment to what is best inside us all. And it's a recognition of that wondrous common essence in our greater surroundings -- our school, team, city, state, our immediate society -- often ultimately delineated by our ethnic roots and borders... but not always. Indeed, these border lines are so fluid... And we do not pay allegiance as much as we resonate with a shared spirit. We all feel an undeniable bond with the land where we were born. And yet, if we leave it for another, we grow to feel a similar bond, often of a more complex nature. Both are forms of patriotism -- the first, involuntary, by birth, the second by choice. Neither is less worthy than the other. 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