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True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them — the desire to do right — is precisely the same.

— Robert E. Lee

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Patriotism

More quotes by Robert E. Lee

I cannot consent to place in the control of others one who cannot control himself.

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.

Peter's Quotations: Ideas for Our Time (1977)

I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than a dissolution of the Union.

We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.

A Life of General Robert E. Lee (1871)

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I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

Nathan Hale

It is not easy to see how the more extreme forms of nationalism can long survive when men have seen the Earth in its true perspective as a single small globe against the stars.

Arthur C. Clarke The Exploration of Space (1951)

Our country – In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, and always successful, right or wrong.

Stephen Decatur

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Barbara Ehrenreich

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Robert E. Lee (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.