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About this quote

What does it mean?
It is sweet and proper to die for one's country.
In plain terms
Dying for the nation is honorable.
What can you take from it?
Patriotic sacrifice is praised.

Where it applies

  • military service
  • national crises

Putting it to work

  • serve in armed forces
  • support national causes

Questions to consider

  • Is dying always the highest duty?
  • What alternatives exist to serve?

Another view

Such ideals can glorify war and ignore individual loss.

More from Horace

  1. Auream quisquis mediocritatem diligit

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  2. Iustum et tenacem propositi virum non civium ardor prava iubentium, non vultus instantis tyranni mente quatit solida.

    Permalink to quote #12

  3. Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem.

    Permalink to quote #9

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