Patriotism – a Moral Virtue
Patriotism can be defined as one’s love and loyalty for his country. When you hear the word of my topic “Patriotism” the first feeling that comes in your mind is of love mixed with anger. It means having love and devotion to one’s country. Have you ever wondered or questioned yourself what feeling this is? What do you actually feel when you hear the word patriotism?
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it,” said Mark Twain.
A true patriot is the one who works hard for the betterment of his country. Many patriots have come and gone, someone sacrificed their lives for the country and the others were just not lucky enough but still serve their country in one or another way. Patriotism is defined as one’s love for their homeland, a vigorous sense of love and affection towards their homeland. A true patriot does not only work towards building his nation but also inspires those around him to do so.
One’s love for one’s country is a natural instinct. People think that one can be a patriot if and only if he serves his country by joining the military which is entirely wrong and is not the case at all. If a person works with honesty, hard work just with the thought that “If I am corrupt, my country is corrupt!” he is the biggest patriot of them all. Talking straight, a nation is recognized by the type of people it holds within and the type of people that are willing to make a change. He keeps his country’s interests and well-being above his own. Mazzini, Garibaldi, Joan of arc, Nelson, Washington, Ho-chi-Minh, etc. are some of the precious diamonds in the crown of patriotism.
Patriotism does not teach to hate other nations. The beauty of the word patriotism comes from the fact that patriotism is not limited at all. There are basically two kinds of patriots you will find in your everyday lives. The first kind of patriotism is a healthy one and should be encouraged while the second one is of an undesirable kind and should be condemned. Healthy patriotism teaches us to love our country with all our hearts and to do everything in our power to serve our country in any way possible. The second type of patriotism tells us to build our glory on the ruins and suffering of other nations. The first kind of patriotism is good for our country and for the world however, the second kind of patriotism is bad for us and the country. It encourages us to be oppressive and selfish. To raise the glory and honor of the nation is our primary duty.
Every religion tells us to be patriotic. One should never forget one’s duty towards humanity in general. It is a noble virtue. Such patriotism, in general, encourages narrow, parochial fanaticism and has no place in the progressive world we live in today. We all should exercise this virtue in our life.
