Patriotism the refuge of scoundrels

[dynasaw]

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."



Boswell tells us that Samuel Johnson made this famous pronouncement that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel on the evening of April 7, 1775.

[MineralMan]

1. Not an accurate statement.

I prefer:

Claiming patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Patriotism itself is not a negative thing. Claiming to be a patriot is almost always something a liar says.

[Laxman]

2. I submit to you sir....

It is the first!- Ambrose Bearce

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. "Patriotism is the most foolish of passions, and the passion of fools." Schopenhauer

[iscooterliberally]

4. Patriotism is the virtue of the viscious. - Oscar Wilde

[Igel]

5. However, it is not the refuge of only scoundrels.

One must first identify one as a scoundrel; then if he is taking refuge in patriotism, we know his back is up against the wall. If he is not yet there, presumably he has alternative refuges he can explore.

However, once a scoundrel has reached his last refuge, he is very likely to find it well stocked--not only with other scoundrels, but also with permanent-resident and temporary-resident non-scoundrels, not to mention those who regard it as a kind of way-station on the way to various non-patriotic refuges.