This heroism at command, this senseless violence, this accursed bombast of patriotism--how intensely I despise them!

This heroism at command, this senseless violence, this accursed bombast of patriotism--how intensely I despise them!

L'Abbe de Ville proposed a toast,
His master, as the rising Sun:
Reisbach then gave the Empress read more

L'Abbe de Ville proposed a toast,
His master, as the rising Sun:
Reisbach then gave the Empress Queen,
As the bright moon and much praise won.
The Earl of Stair, whose turn next came,
Gave for his toast his own King Will,
As Joshua the sun of Nun,
Who made both Sun and Moon stand still.

Our ships were British oak,
And hearts of oak our men.

Our ships were British oak,
And hearts of oak our men.

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we read more

One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.

A healthy nation is as unconscious of its nationality as a
healthy man of his bones. But if you read more

A healthy nation is as unconscious of its nationality as a
healthy man of his bones. But if you break a nation's
nationality it will think of nothing else but getting it set
again.

Here's to you, as good as you are,
And here's to me, as bad as I am;
read more

Here's to you, as good as you are,
And here's to me, as bad as I am;
But as good as you are, and as bad as I am,
I am as good as your are, as bad as I am.

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.

Our spirit is . . . to show ourselves eager to work for, and if
need be, to die read more

Our spirit is . . . to show ourselves eager to work for, and if
need be, to die for the Irish Republic. Facing our enemy we must
declare an attitude simply. . . . We ask for no mercy and we will
make no compromise.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise,
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of read more

The thirst that from the soul doth rise,
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.