Allegiance Quote by Woodrow Wilson
“You have just taken an oath of allegiance to the United States. Of allegiance to whom? Of allegiance to no one, unless it be God. Certainly not of allegiance to those who temporarily represent this great government. You have taken an oath of allegiance to a great ideal, to a great body of principles, to a great hope of the human race.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Inaugural Address, Woodrow Wilson, 1913
Allegiance is to ideals and principles, not to transient leaders or institutions.
In simple terms: Swear to ideals, not people.
Uphold higher principles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- voting
- public service
- civic education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What ideals guide your civic duty?
- How do you balance loyalty to people and principles?
People may still feel loyalty to leaders.