In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary, patriotism is defined as the last refuge of a scoundrel. With all due respect to read more

In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary, patriotism is defined as the last refuge of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first.

Be Briton still to Britain true,
Among oursel's united;
For never but by British hands
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Be Briton still to Britain true,
Among oursel's united;
For never but by British hands
Maun British wrangs be righted.

Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every read more

Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.

Put none but Americans on guard tonight.

Put none but Americans on guard tonight.

I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an
American!

I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an
American!

If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign
troop was landed in my country read more

If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign
troop was landed in my country I never would lay down my
arms,--never! never! never!

Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy

Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy

That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain
force upon the plain of Marathon, or read more

That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain
force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow
warmer among the runs of Iona.

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we read more

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.