Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Patriotism should not override basic civility and respect for others.
In plain terms
Be loyal to your country but still treat people with dignity.
What can you take from it?
Maintain decency even when acting for your nation.

Where it applies

  • political discourse
  • national service
  • public debate

Putting it to work

  • critique public figures
  • debate respectfully
  • write editorials

Questions to consider

  • When does loyalty require setting aside politeness?
  • Who defines gentlemanly behavior?

Another view

It assumes a shared standard of what constitutes a gentleman.

More from Edmund Burke

  1. When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

    Permalink to quote #54
  2. Public life is a situation of power and energy; he trespasses against his duty who sleeps upon his watch, as well as he that goes over to the enemy.

    Permalink to quote #56
  3. The power of discretionary disqualification by one law of Parliament, and the necessity of paying every debt of the Civil List by another law of Parliament, if…

    Permalink to quote #53

Related quotes

  1. I am amazed that Congressmen can pass a bill imposing severe penalties on anyone who burns the American flag, whereas they are responsible for burning that for…

    Alan WattsAlan Watts quote #9
  2. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.

    Tenzin GyatsoTenzin Gyatso quote #81
  3. If I were to characterize George Washington's feelings toward his country, I should be less inclined than most people to stress what is called Washington's lov…

    George WashingtonGeorge Washington quote #129