Is there any patriotic proverbs in English?

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

-- Samuel Johnson, April 7, 1775.

It is better to HAVE a gun and not need it
than it is to NEED a gun and not have it.





David

From the Devil's Dictionary



Rap

Thank you! I've seen this quote

"My country right or wrong."

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775:

"No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities,
of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House,
but different men often see the same subject in different lights;
and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those
gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite
to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one
of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as
nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in
proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom
of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth,
and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country.
Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of
giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards
my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven,
which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song
of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of
wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and
to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the
lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but
by the past and judging by the past, I wish to know what there has
been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to
justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace
themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our
petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a
snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.
Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports
with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken
our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and
reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled
that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive
ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation;
the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what
means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?
Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great
Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this
accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are
meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to
bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have
been so long forging and what have we to oppose to them?

Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.
Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have
held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has
been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?
What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?
Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done
everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on.
We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated;
we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored
its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced
additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded;
and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!

In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace
and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.
If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those
inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if
we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have
been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never
to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained-
-we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and
to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so
formidable an adversary, but when shall we be stronger?
Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are
totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely
on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our
enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if
we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath
placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy
cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess,
are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God
who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up
friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the
strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir,
we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now
too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in
submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may
be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come!
I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace.
The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north
will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are
already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish?
What would they have?
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet,
as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take;
but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

'We don't want to fight but by jingo if we do...
We've got the ships, we've got the men, and got the money too!'


The Great Macdermott.

Marianna, note that because you are asking about multiple proverbs,
it is better to put it:
" Are there any patriotic proverbs in English? "





David

Perhaps you don't know what a proverb is.

I 'm applying a liberal interpretation.
This is a liberal website.

No, you're completely failing to provide a proverb, preferring the opportunity to post a rant of which you are fond.

Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out.

That is liberal because it deviates.

Chai for President !

Oh may be. Sorry for that. English is not my first language. I just do research about American patriotism, that's it=)

OK, Marianna. I hope that u will like Patrick Henry 's speech.
He was a leading Patriot !





David

Thank you! I will definetely use this in my research paper

The story of John Burns is almost a proverb, Burns was a 70 year old civilian who grabbed his aging Flintlock and joined the union army on the first day of Gettysburg. He traded his aging flintlock for a Enfield musket, joined the ranks and despite being chided by the young troopers fought gallantly. Burns was wounded three times that day and had to be removed from the field.

When the battle field and cemetery was dedicated in November 1863, Lincoln met with Burns as a hero of the Union, a patriot. Burns was also memorialized in a Matthew Brady Portrait (as usual not taken by Brady) and by a poem by no other than Bret Harte and is buried under a head stone that reads.

John L. Burns
1793-1872
Patriot

Rap

He was 169 at his death?
Patriotism seems to lead to long life.