Patriotism - what is it?

Sceala Clann T.D. Location: Derry roots

In 1999 Time magazine named Albert Einstein the "Person of the Century". In wider culture the name "Einstein" has become synonymous with genius, he had this to say.
“Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -how passionately I hate them!”

More thoughts on patriotism, both positive and negative, to continue one of the oldest debates known to man.

"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” Adlai Stevenson

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” Mark Twain

“I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.” George Washington:

“Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.” Bertrand Russell

“Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.” Oscar Wilde

“Patriotism is easy to understand in America - it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country” Calvin Coolidge

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” Clarence Darrow

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” Edward Abbey

“If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.” E. M. Forster

“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” Tom Paine

“The time is fast approaching when to call a man a patriot will be the deepest insult you can offer him. Patriotism now means advocating plunder in the interest of the privileged classes of the particular State system into which we have happened to be born.” Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Samuel Johnson

“Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy” George Bernard Shaw

“Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred, and always stronger than internationalism” George Orwell

“A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle, and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” George William Curtis

“Patriots always talk of dying for their country, and never of killing for their country.” Bertrand Russell

“Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them” Alexander Solzhenitsyn

“You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race.” George Bernard Shaw

“The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?” Pablo Casals

“My affections were first for my own country, then, generally, for all mankind” Thomas Jefferson

“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.” George Bernard Shaw

“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first, nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.” Charles de Gaulle

Can we define patriotism.
Is being patriotic a good or a bad quality?

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Patriotism - what is it?