Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
The modern patriotism, the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True patriotism involves unwavering loyalty to the nation, while conditional loyalty to the government based on its actions.
In this quote, Mark Twain distinguishes between blind loyalty to a government and a more rational form of patriotism that prioritizes the wellbeing of the nation itself. He suggests that genuine patriotism does not mean unconditional support for a government, but rather an allegiance that is contingent upon the government's merit and actions, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in matters of national loyalty.
Themes
PatriotismLoyaltyGovernmentNationRational
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about civic responsibility and the role of citizens in a democracy.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes βThe easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
Mark TwainRead
Similar quotes
Lots of Orthodox go to church every Sunday but don't know much about the faith. Yet they know that there is something that they don't know much about.
Frederica Mathewes-GreenRead
All the Utopias will come to pass only when we grow wings and all people are converted into angels.
Fyodor DostoevskyRead
The fear of punishment, the desire of reward, the sense of duty, are all useful arguments, in their way, to persuade people to holiness. But they are all weak and powerless, until a person loves Christ.
J. C. RyleRead
Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.
Nelson MandelaRead
I often worry that my idea of personhood is nostalgic, irrational, inaccurate.
Zadie SmithRead
To will is human, to will the bad is of fallen nature, but to will the good is of Grace.
John CalvinRead