Speech to the American Legion convention, New York City (27 August 1952); as quoted in "Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson Defines the Nature of Patriotism" in Lend Me Your Ears : Great Speeches In History (2004) by William Safire, p. 79 - 80
Context: We talk a great deal about patriotism. 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 which will enable America to remain master of her power — to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect of all mankind; a patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. The dedication of a lifetime — these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.
Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) mid-20th-century Governor of Illinois and Ambassador to the UN
Speech to the American Legion convention, New York City (27 August 1952); as quoted in "Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson Defines the Nature of Patriotism" in Lend Me Your Ears : Great Speeches In History (2004) by William Safire, p. 79 - 80
“[The pamphlet] was very patriotic. That is, it talked about killing foreigners.”
Terry Pratchett book Monstrous Regiment
Source: Monstrous Regiment
Emmanuel Macron (1977) 25th President of the French Republic
11 November 2018, French>English translation reported by CNN https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/11/politics/donald-trump-armistice-day-paris/index.html <br class="br">2017, 2018
George W. Bush (1946) 43rd President of the United States
"Information Sharing, Patriot Act Vital to Homeland Security" http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040420-2.html speech at Kleinshans Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, 20 April 2004; whitehouse.gov (accessed 2006-05-18) <br class="br">2000s, 2004
John McCain (1936–2018) politician from the United States
2010s, 2018, Farewell statement (2018)
Context: We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.
Alfred Austin (1835–1913) British writer and poet
Source: Fortunatus the Pessimist (1892), Fortunatus in Act I, sc. ii; p. 15.
“We do not consider patriotism desirable if it contradicts civilized behavior.”
Friedrich Dürrenmatt Romulus the Great
Romulus the Great, act I (1956)
Mark Twain (1835–1910) American author and humorist
Czar Nicholas II
1905
Collected Tales, Sketches, Speeches, & Essays, 1891-1910 (1992) ed. Louis J. Budd
George Orwell (1903–1950) English author and journalist
Letter to The Tribune (20 December 1940), later published in A Patriot After All, 1940-1941 (1999)
“True patriots all; for be it understood
We left our country for our country’s good.”
Prologue written for the Opening of the Play-house at New South Wales, Jan. 16, 1796. Compare: "'T was for the good of my country that I should be abroad", George Farquhar, The Beaux’ Stratagem, Act iii, scene 2.
