|
*
"I'm
tired of being labelled anti-American because
I ask questions."
-- Susan Sarandon
|
The
peace and welfare of this and coming generations of
Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword
of true patriotism: "Our country -- when right to be
kept right; when wrong to be put right."
-- Carl Schurz
I
have no sense of nationalism, only a cosmic consciousness
of belonging to the human family.
-- Rosika Schwimmer
You'll
never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism
out of the human race.
-- George Bernard
Shaw
|
|
|
Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our
minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible
talk. The right way is not always the popular
and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular
is a true test of moral character.
-- Margaret
Chase Smith
*
The
right way is not always the popular and easy way.
Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true
test of moral character. -- Margaret
Chase Smith
|
Those
of us who shout the loudest about Americanism, are all
too frequently those who . . . ignore some of the basic
principles of Americanism—the right to criticize, the
right to hold unpopular beliefs, the right to protest,
the right of independent thought.
-- Margaret Chase
Smith
|
What
do we mean by patriotism in the context of our
times? I venture to suggest that what we mean
is a sense of national responsibility ... a patriotism
which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion,
but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
-- Adlai Stevenson
Do
not... regard the critics as questionable patriots.
What were Washington and Jefferson and Adams but
profound critics of the colonial status quo?
-- Adlai Stevenson
|
During
times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even
though it has to masquerade often under the guise of
patriotism.
-- Howard Thurman
Patriotism
is supporting your country all the time, and your government
when it deserves it.
-- Mark Twain
Each
man must for himself alone decide what is right
and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and
which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man.
To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified
and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your
country, let me label you as they may.
-- Mark Twain
The
government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary
servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine
what is right and what is wrong, and decide who
is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to
obey orders, not originate them.
-- Mark Twain
|
|
World
Government is not only possible, it is inevitable;
and when it comes, it will appeal to patriotism
in its truest sense,in its only sense, the patriotism
of humans who love their national heritages
so deeply that they wish to preserve them in
safety for the common good.
-- Peter Ustinov
|
|
It
is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become
the enemy of the rest of mankind.
-- Voltaire
|
"I
loathe nationalism. It is a form of tribalism--the
idolatry of the 20th century."
-- Cornel West
|
Patriotism,
the virtue of the vicious.
-- Oscar Wilde
There
are two visions of America. One precedes our founding
fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our
puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable
with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason,
contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as
a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance
to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity.
Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the
Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and
threatens our freedom. The other vision finds its roots
in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the
leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason.
It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science
and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual.
It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely
religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism
as love of country and of the people who make it strong.
It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and
irrational conformity. This second vision is our vision.
It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold
enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it
against all its enemies.
-- Rabbi Sherwin Wine
"There
is no flag large enough to cover the shame of
killing innocent people."
-- Howard
Zinn
|
|