Ambrose Bierce, writer

Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name. In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit it is the first. -Ambrose Bierce, writer (1842-1914)

As is often the case, I have to disagree with Mr. Bierce, at least to some degree, and with Dr. Johnson also in this case. While I believe that patriotism can be misused by scoundrels, that doesn't make it rubbish. There is probably no sentiment that can't be abused, and one that is a social virtue has greater potential for destructive use than more private ones. Although not popular with moderns, patriotism is still a virtue.

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