# Quotes about patriotism - Quotes: 39 - Authors: 28 - Broader topic: [Quotes about homeland](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/homeland.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.json ## Quotes > When once it is no longer possible to understand how a man gives his life for his country – and the time will come – then all is over with that faith also, and the idea of the Fatherland is dead; and then, perhaps, we shall be envied, as we envy the saints their inward and irresistible strength. [Ernst Jünger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger.md) · [Storm of Steel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger/storm-of-steel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger/storm-of-steel/when-once-it.md) Topics: [sacrifice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sacrifice.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Every country that aspires to become a nation needs its heroes, its eminent civic and moral leaders, and if it doesn't have them, it's our duty to invent them. ("Sweet Diamond Dust") [Rosario Ferré](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rosario-ferre.md) · [Sweet Diamond Dust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rosario-ferre/sweet-diamond-dust.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rosario-ferre/sweet-diamond-dust/every-country-that.md) Topics: [irony](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/irony.md), [heroism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/heroism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Not everyone is cut out for the military, but I do believe everyone can and should have the opportunity to participate in a national service endeavor of their choice. Serving in the military can make you a better citizen, employee, and leader. The military provides hands-on experience. It provides leadership training and builds a foundation for a strong work ethic. Corporate America has taken notice and regularly recruits soldiers just as it does Ivy League students. [Ann Dunwoody](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-dunwoody.md) · [A Higher Standard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-dunwoody/a-higher-standard.md) · p. 200 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-dunwoody/a-higher-standard/not-everyone-is-cut.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md), [soldiers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/soldiers.md) > I doubt whether patriotism can stand the wear and tear and temptation of the front benches in the House of Commons. [Anthony Trollope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope.md) · [Phineas Redux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux/i-doubt-whether.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Sadly, there is a fine line between patriotism and paranoia. [M. K. Hobson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/m-k-hobson.md) · [The Hidden Goddess](https://www.leafyquotes.com/m-k-hobson/the-hidden-goddess.md) · p. 3 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/m-k-hobson/the-hidden-goddess/sadly-there-is-a-fine.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > My acceptance of the universe is not optimism, it is more like patriotism. It is a matter of primary loyalty. The world is not a lodging-house at Brighton, which we are to leave because it is miserable. It is the fortress of our family, with the flag flying on the turret, and the more miserable it is the less we should leave it. The point is not that this world is too sad to love or too glad not to love; the point is that when you do love a thing, its gladness is a reason for loving it, and its sadness a reason for loving it more. All optimistic thoughts about England and all pessimistic thoughts about her are alike reasons for the English patriot. Similarly, optimism and pessimism are alike arguments for the cosmic patriot. [G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/my-acceptance-of-the.md) Topics: [acceptance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/acceptance.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Before one scoffs at national pride and the fatherland, at wealth and good manners, love of one's country, family, and traditions, one must have arrived at a proper evaluation of one's country, have had enough to eat, and have received a good education. Then one can look on from afar and make wisecracks. But I have no sense of humor and not enough courage to be cynical. [Albert Memmi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi.md) · [The Pillar of Salt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-memmi/the-pillar-of-salt/before-one-scoffs.md) Topics: [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > It is a very pretty flag. … I wish I could have a piece of it. I know! If it's so important, I think we should all have a piece of it. Don't you? … Now we should decide — who should be allowed to cut the first piece off! [James Clavell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clavell.md) · [The Children's Story](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clavell/the-childrens-story.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-clavell/the-childrens-story/it-is-a-very.md) Topics: [manipulation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/manipulation.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > I’m not going to make the mistake of appealing to your patriotism: It’s a deflating currency these days, and an ambiguous one. But I would like to put a word in for ethics, fair play, and enlightened self-interest. [Charles Stross](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross.md) · [Halting State](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/halting-state.md) · p. 274 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/halting-state/im-not-going.md) Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > The first time Wednesday saw a flag she had to look away, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Patriotism had never been a huge Muscovite virtue, and to see the way the fat woman in the red pants held on to her flag as if it were a life preserver made Wednesday want to slap her and yell Grow up! It’s all over! Except it also felt like...like watching Jerm, aged three, playing with the pewter pot containing Grandpa’s ashes. Abuse of the dead, an infection of history. [Charles Stross](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross.md) · [Iron Sunrise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/iron-sunrise.md) · p. 277 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/iron-sunrise/the-first-time.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > The glory of saving a country is not for him who has contributed to its ruin. [Jose Rizal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-rizal.md) · [El Filibusterismo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-rizal/el-filibusterismo.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-rizal/el-filibusterismo/the-glory-of-saving.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > By the early seventies I had become an Englishman — that is to say, I hated England just as much as half my compatriots seemed to do. [Nick Hornby](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nick-hornby.md) · [Fever Pitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nick-hornby/fever-pitch.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nick-hornby/fever-pitch/by-the-early.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Many of us talked like that because we wanted to deceive ourselves. It lessens your shame. We talked of loyalty to the Movement and the love of our country. You know a time came when I did not care about Uhuru for the country anymore. I just wanted to come home.” [Ngugi wa Thiong'o](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo.md) · [A Grain of Wheat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo/a-grain-of-wheat.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo/a-grain-of-wheat/many-of-us-talked.md) Topics: [self-deception](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-deception-2.md), [home](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/home.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > They talked of suffering under the whiteman and illustrated this with episodes which revealed their deep love of Kenya. In between each speaker, people would sing: Kenya is the country of black people. These speeches were summed up by one detainee who said: 'What thing is greater than love for one's country? The love that I have for Kenya kept me alive and made me endure everything.' [Ngugi wa Thiong'o](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo.md) · [A Grain of Wheat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo/a-grain-of-wheat.md) · p. 64 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ngugi-wa-thiongo/a-grain-of-wheat/they-talked-of-suffering.md) Topics: [homeland](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/homeland.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > I tell you, Mr. Hunsden, you are a more unpractical man than I am an unpractical woman, for you don't acknowledge what really exists; you want to annihilate individual patriotism and national greatness as an atheist would annihilate God and his own soul, by denying their existence. [Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md) · [The Professor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor/i-tell-you.md) Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > King Christian X, king of Denmark, used to ride through the streets of Denmark on his horse and wave to the people of Denmark. A German soldier said to a boy; "Where is his body guard?", and the boy said "All of Denmark is his bodyguard". This is reportedly true. [Lois Lowry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lois-lowry.md) · [Number the Stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lois-lowry/number-the-stars.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lois-lowry/number-the-stars/king-christian-x-king.md) Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > In love of home, the love of country has its rise. [Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [The Old Curiosity Shop](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/the-old-curiosity-shop.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/the-old-curiosity-shop/in-love-of-home.md) Topics: [home](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/home.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Overall, the Pox has had the effect of an installment-plan World War III. In fact, there were several small, bloody shooting wars going on around the world during the Pox. These were stupid affairs—wastes of life and treasure. They were fought, ostensibly, to defend against vicious foreign enemies. All too often, they were actually fought because inadequate leaders did not know what else to do. Such leaders knew that they could depend on fear, suspicion, hatred, need, and greed to arouse patriotic support for war. > > Amid all this, somehow, the United States of America suffered a major, nonmilitary defeat. It lost no important war, yet it did not survive the Pox. Perhaps it simply lost sight of what it once intended to be, then blundered aimlessly until it exhausted itself. [Octavia E. Butler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler.md) · [Parable of the Talents](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/parable-of-the-talents.md) · p. 8 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/parable-of-the-talents/overall-the-pox.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [leadership](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/leadership.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Patriotism, in the trenches, was too remote a sentiment, and at once rejected as fit only for civilians, or prisoners. A new arrival who talked patriotism would soon be told to cut it out. [Robert Graves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-graves.md) · [Goodbye to All That](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-graves/goodbye-to-all-that.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-graves/goodbye-to-all-that/patriotism-in-the.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > What kind of man takes a live bomb across the seas in order to blow up other people? People who have mothers and lovers and children, just like him? > > Probably either a professional or a patriot, Alex thought. Or, worse, both. [David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [Earth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/earth.md) · p. 524 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/earth/what-kind-of-man.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md), [terrorism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/terrorism.md) > Relax, enjoy yourself. Have another drink. It’s patriotic to overconsume. [Brian Aldiss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brian-aldiss.md) · [Greybeard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brian-aldiss/greybeard.md) · p. 121 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brian-aldiss/greybeard/relax-enjoy-yourself.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [consumerism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/consumerism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > I have learned from my experiences that hatred and racial antagonism can be manufactured by the politicians of any one country against any other, so I was no longer the patriot I had been. [Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The Steel Tsar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-steel-tsar.md) · p. 350 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-steel-tsar/i-have-learned.md) Topics: [hatred](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hatred.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > “Evil flourishes best in disguise,” said Otto grimly. His companions nodded in assent. > > “And the best disguise is simple” said the youth, Federit Shaus. “Honest patriotism. Joyful idealism.” > > “You’re a cynic, lad,” von Bek smiled at him. “But sadly my own experience would support your view. Show me a man who cries ‘my country right or wrong’, and I’ll show you one who’d cheerfully murder half his own nation in the name of patriotism.” [Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The Dragon in the Sword](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-dragon-in-the-sword.md) · p. 550 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-dragon-in-the-sword/evil-flourishes-best.md) Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Power is so pleasant that men quickly learn to be greedy in the enjoyment of it, and to flatter themselves that patriotism requires them to be imperious. [Anthony Trollope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope.md) · [The Prime Minister](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/the-prime-minister.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/the-prime-minister/power-is-so-pleasant.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [greed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/greed.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Do we not already sing our love for and obligation to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Yes, but just what and whom do we love? Certainly not the soil, which we are sending helter-skelter downriver. Certainly not the waters, which we assume have no function except to turn turbines, float barges, and carry off sewage. Certainly not the plants, of which we exterminate whole communities without batting an eye. Certainly not the animals, of which we have already extirpated many of the largest and most beautiful species. [Aldo Leopold](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold.md) · [A Sand County Almanac](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold/a-sand-county-almanac.md) · p. 204 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold/a-sand-county-almanac/do-we-not.md) Topics: [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > No, I don’t mean love, when I say patriotism. I mean fear. The fear of the other. And its expressions are political, not poetical: hate, rivalry, aggression. It grows in us, that fear. It grows in us year by year. [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 18 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/no-i-dont.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > And I wondered, not for the first time, what patriotism is, what the love of country truly consists of, how that yearning loyalty that had shaken my friend’s voice arises, and how so real a love can become, too often, so foolish and vile a bigotry. Where does it go wrong? [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 279 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/and-i-wondered.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > How does one hate a country, or love one? [...] I know people, I know towns, farms, hills and rivers and rocks, I know how the sun at sunset in autumn falls on the side of a certain plowland in the hills; but what is the sense of giving a boundary to all that, of giving it a name and ceasing to love where the name ceases to apply? What is love of one's country; is it hate of one's uncountry? [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 228 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/how-does-one.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > While consistently rooting against America, liberals have used a fictional event forged of their own hysteria — "McCarthyism" — to prevent Americans from ever asking the simple question: Do liberals love their country? [Ann Coulter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-coulter.md) · [Treason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-coulter/treason.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ann-coulter/treason/while-consistently-rooting.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > Patriotic and tribal feelings belong to the squalling childhood of the human race, and become no more charming in their senescence. They are particularly unattractive when evinced by a superpower. [Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [And Yet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet/patriotic-and-tribal.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md), [nationalism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nationalism.md) > In my country of birth the great new fictional practitioners have in their front rank names like Rushdie, Ishiguro, Kureishi, Mo. This attainment on their part makes me oddly proud to be whatever I am, and convinces me that internationalism is the highest form of patriotism. [Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [And Yet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/and-yet/in-my-country.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > We spend our lives in abusing England but grow very angry when we hear a foreigner saying exactly the same things. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [The Road to Wigan Pier](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier/we-spend-our.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > A middle-class child is taught almost simultaneously to wash his neck, to be ready to die for his country, and to despise the "lower classes." [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [The Road to Wigan Pier](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier/a-middle-class-child.md) Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [social inequality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/social-inequality.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > The highest treason in the USA is to say Americans are not loved, no matter where they are, no matter what they are doing there. [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [A Man Without a Country](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/a-man-without-a-country.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/a-man-without-a-country/the-highest-treason.md) Topics: [America](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/america.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > I am about to do a very un-ambassadorial thing ... I am about to tell you what I really feel. ... We are gathered here, friends ... to honor [the Hundred Martyrs to Democracy], children dead, all dead, all murdered in war. It is customary on days like this to call such lost children men. I am unable to call them men for this simple reason: that in the same war in which [the Martyrs] died, my own son died. My soul insists that I mourn not a man but a child.I do not say that children at war do not die like men, if they have to die. To their everlasting honor and our everlasting shame, they do die like men, thus making possible the manly jubilation of patriotic holidays.But they are murdered children all same.And I propose to you that if we are to pay our sincere respects to the hundred lost children of San Lorenzo, that we might best spend the day despising what killed them; which is to say, the stupidity and viciousness of all mankind.Perhaps, when we remember wars, we should take off our clothes and paint ourselves blue and go on all fours all day long and grunt like pigs. That would surely be more appropriate than noble oratory and shows of flags and well-oiled guns. ... [I]f today is really in honor of a hundred children murdered in war ... is today a day for a thrilling show? The answer is yes, on one condition: that we, the celebrants, are working consciously and tirelessly to reduce the stupidity and viciousness of all mankind. [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Cat's Cradle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle/i-am-about.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > "The highest possible form of treason," said [Horlick] Minton, "is to say that Americans aren't loved wherever they go, whatever they do. Claire tried to make the point that American foreign policy should recognize hate rather than imagine love.""I guess Americans are hated a lot of places.""People are hated a lot of places. Claire pointed out ... that Americans, in being hated, were simply paying the normal penalty for being people, and that they were foolish to think they should somehow be exempted from that penalty. But the loyalty board didn't pay any attention to that. All they knew was that Claire and I both felt that Americans were unloved." [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Cat's Cradle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle/the-highest-possible.md) Topics: [hatred](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hatred.md), [America](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/america.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > "You hate America, don't you?" she said. > > "That would be as silly as loving it," I said. "It's impossible for me to get emotional about it, because real estate doesn't interest me. It's no doubt a great flaw in my personality, but I can't think in terms of boundaries. Those imaginary lines are as unreal to me as elves and pixies. I can't believe that they mark the end or the beginning of anything of real concern to the human soul. Virtues and vices, pleasures and pains cross boundaries at will." [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Mother Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/mother-night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/mother-night/you-hate-america.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md), [boundaries](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boundaries.md) > The hell with him, he thought bitterly. The hell with patriotism in general. In the specific and the abstract. Birds of a feather, soldiers and cops. Anti-intellectual and anti-Negro. Anti-everything except beer, dogs, cars and guns. [Philip K. Dick](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick.md) · [Eye In The Sky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick/eye-in-the-sky.md) · p. 15 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-k-dick/eye-in-the-sky/the-hell-with.md) Topics: [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md) > I am quite aware that Plato, in the Republic, assigns the same gymnastics to women and men. Having got rid of the family there is no place for women in his system of government, so he is forced to turn them into men. That great genius has worked out his plans in detail and has provided for every contingency; he has even provided against a difficulty which in all likelihood no one would ever have raised; but he has not succeeded in meeting the real difficulty. I am not speaking of the alleged community of wives which has often been laid to his charge; this assertion only shows that his detractors have never read his works. I refer to that political promiscuity under which the same occupations are assigned to both sexes alike, a scheme which could only lead to intolerable evils; I refer to that subversion of all the tenderest of our natural feelings, which he sacrificed to an artificial sentiment which can only exist by their aid. Will the bonds of convention hold firm without some foundation in nature? Can devotion to the state exist apart from the love of those near and dear to us? Can patriotism thrive except in the soil of that miniature fatherland, the home? Is it not the good son, the good husband, the good father, who makes the good citizen? [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/i-am-quite.md) Topics: [women](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women.md), [family](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/family.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md)