Tis not, 'my country right or wrong'; tis, 'my country, that which is right to be kept right, that which is wrong to be set right'
Carl SchurzRead
My country right or wrong; when right, to keep her right; when wrong, to put her right.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the duty to support one's country both when it is right and wrong.
Carl Schurz's quote reflects a deep commitment to patriotism that acknowledges both the love and the critical responsibility a citizen has towards their nation. It articulates that true loyalty involves not just blind support but actively striving to maintain a countryβs integrity when it is correct and working to correct its wrongdoings when necessary.
In practice
During a national debate, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of holding our leaders accountable.
If the propositions of this Discourse are tenable, the "state of progressive collapse" is precisely that state in which alone we are warranted in considering All Things.
At the heart of that western freedom and democracy is the belief that the individual man...is the touchstone of value, and all society, all groups, and states, exist for that person's benefit. Therefore the enlargement of liberty for individual human beings must be the supreme goal and the abiding practice of any western society.
It is not acceptable for one country to change the borders of another by force.
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
The happy medium - truth in all things - is no longer either known or valued; to gain applause, one must write things so inane that they might be played on barrel-organs, or so unintelligible that no rational being can comprehend them, though on that very account, they are likely to please.
Generally, we admire the thing we are not.
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