Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Patriotism involves unwavering support for one's country, while also holding the government accountable.
Mark Twain's quote highlights a nuanced understanding of patriotism that goes beyond blind loyalty. It suggests that true patriotism is not merely about supporting one's country at all times, but rather supporting it when it aligns with one's values, and critically assessing the government's actions when they fall short of those values. This perspective encourages active civic engagement and the idea that love for one's nation includes the responsibility to challenge it when necessary.
Themes
PatriotismGovernmentCountrySupportValues
In practice
Example use cases
During a Fourth of July speech, emphasizing the importance of holding leaders accountable.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes →The 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
Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it
Flannery O'ConnorRead
Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. Whatever words they use, the real message is clear. “Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do. If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you. Just as we did in District Thirteen
Suzanne CollinsRead
Name the different kinds of people,’ said Miss Lupescu. ‘Now.’ Bod thought for a moment. ‘The living,’ he said. ‘Er. The dead.’ He stopped. Then, ‘... Cats?’ he offered, uncertainly.
Neil GaimanRead
In my dreams, I never have an age.
Madeleine L'EngleRead
The fortune my spirit is not to be blown into coins of brass and flung to the winds as alms for the poor of the spirit. I guard my treasures: my thought, my will, my freedom. And the greatest of these is freedom.
Ayn RandRead
He was so full of wrath against grown-ups, who as usual, were spoiling everything, that as soon as he got inside his tree he breathed intentionally quick short breaths at the rate of about five to a second. He did this because there is a saying in the Neverland, that everytime you breathe, a grown-up dies; and Peter was killing them of vindictively as fast as possible.
James M. BarrieRead