Quotation
Quote by Edmund Burke
To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.
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Understanding this quote
This quote emphasizes that patriotism is strengthened by the character of the country itself. Love of country is not merely an obligation citizens are asked to perform; it can grow from encountering fairness, beauty, opportunity, and care in public life. One way to read this is as a standard for civic responsibility: a nation should give people tangible reasons to feel connected to it, rather than relying on symbols or demands for loyalty alone.
The idea also turns admiration into a reciprocal relationship. Citizens may care for their country, but institutions and communities must help make that care sustainable by reducing cruelty, honoring dignity, and preserving what is valuable. “Lovely” need not mean perfect. It can describe a place whose flaws are acknowledged and whose shared efforts make improvement possible. The quote therefore links belonging with accountability: affection for a country is most credible when the country continually works to deserve it.
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About this quotation
- Source
- Online Library of Liberty, Select Works of Edmund Burke, vol. 2
- Format
- Official Statement
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