"Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." But let it be considered, that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Samuel Johnson, statement of 7 April 1775, as quoted in Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) by James Boswell, p. 253
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nationalism
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Nationalism
80 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Nationalism →
Related Quotes
"Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill."
"A great historian, Henry Steele Commager, said that in their lust for victory, neither traditional party is looking b…"
"I propose the following definition of the nation: it is an imagined political community."
"What at this moment appears to prevent world unity... ? The answer is not hard to find and involves all nations: nati…"
"Nationalism can take on some very ugly shapes. It looks as if as many crimes will be committed in its name as in the …"
"Nationalism . . . invents nations where they do not exist."
"Nationality was valuable, in so far as it was a centripetal principle, in so far as it produced closer cooperation be…"
"Nationalism does not provide a single way of talking about the world."
"If you don’t offer people a positive, uplifting nationalism, they will grab the nasty one. History and recent events …"
"Nationality is the great carrier of custom, of unreflecting habit and transmitted ideas that quench individuality. Co…"