Patriotism

What is patriotism?

Quotation 1

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

- Dr Samuel Johnson, essayist and lexicographer (1709-84)

Quotation 2

... ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

John F. Kennedy

Quotation 3

A politician will do anything to keep his job -- even become a patriot.

William Randolph Hearst

Quotation 4

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

Adlai Stevenson

Quotation 5

I think patriotism is like charity -- it begins at home.

Henry James

Quotation 6

A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

George William Curtis

Quotation 7

A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.

George Santayana

Quotation 8

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.

George Bernard Shaw

Quotation 9

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land.

Sir Walter Scott

Quotation 10

A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth.

Henry Ward Beecher

Joke

Bernarde Levineskii wants to become a British citizen, so he changes his name to Benny Levy and applies for citizenship. After many years of waiting, he's asked to attend a ceremony the Registry Office, answer some questions and become, at last, a full British citizen.

Benny stands up to face the Registrar.

"Mr. Levy," says the Registrar, "before I can grant you citizenship, I must ask you a few questions to confirm that you really are interested in the UK, its government and its monarchy. Do you understand?"

"Yes," replies Benny.

"All right, who are the UK's leading political parties?" asks the Registrar.

"I'm a diamond merchant," replies Benny, "do I have time to worry about political parties?"

"Then who is our current Prime Minister?" asks the Registrar.

"That's simple," replies Benny, "doesn't everyone know the answer?"

"Mr Levy," says the Registrar, "are you always in a habit of answering questions with another question?"

"Why shouldn't I?" replies Benny.

The Registrar is now getting angry.

"Mr Levy," he shouts, "are you willing to swear your allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen, Her Heirs and Successors?"

"Your honour," replies Benny, "do you really want me to swear in front of all these people?"

"Mr Levy," shouts the Registrar, "please stop answering all my questions with a question. Do you promise to support the Prime Minister and the Government?"

"Isn't it enough that I support my wife Sarah and my three darling kiddies?" replies Benny. "You want my blood as well?"

Pro patria - For one's country