The Patriotism

Definition of Patriotism: A sure test of life

Patriotism is the quality inherent in man by force of which he feels a natural attachment to his motherland the land of his birth. This is an instinctive virtue present in every man with a sound heart. Wherever on earth or sea he may live for the time, the patriot’s heart is bound by an interminable string of love and attraction with the country where he was born and brought of love and attraction with the country where he was born and brought of love and attraction with the country where he was born and brought up, be it ever so poor and backward.

Origin and root of patriotism:  

Poets and philosophers have all agreed that the love of motherland, natural and inherent in all normal human beings, is one of the surest tests of a living soul. One who has no patriotism may be alive in body but its dead in soul. Such a man is indistinguishable from a beast-both living for no purpose other than mere living.

Truly has, therefore, the poet said :

“ Breathes there the man with soul so dead

Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land; “

Patriotism, we know, is an inherent instinct of man. It is order than organized society and civilization.

Obligations of patriotism :

It is an oft-asked question how man. Without being tutored about the love of motherland, comes to develop this instinctive emotion with the growth of consciousness. It is probable that love of motherland originates in the love of one’s mother. As the child instinctively loves his mother in preference to the rest of mankind, so the man-the grown up child-instinctively loves his motherland in preference to the rest of the world. Sociologists have strongly supported this opinion that it is love of mother that ultimately grows into and finds expression through the love of motherland. This sentiment is, however, strengthened by subsequent memories, both happy and unhappy, through which his soul gets bound with the land of his birth.

Is Patriotism the ultimate goal? :

Patriotism involves some obligations through which alone it receives practical manifestation. The mere feeling or declaration that I love my country is of no worth unless I prove by action that I am a patriot. The first of these is to place the country’s collective interest above the self-interest of the individual. This requires that a patriot will serve the country and, if necessary, at the cost of his own life and interests. The self shall, in short, be identified with the whole, both living and dying together. Secondly, patriotism calls for the cultivation of high individual character, hatred for wrong and love for truth and piety. It is such high and edified character by means of a healthy synthesis. Patriotism, in short, is not merely to be professed but demonstrated through patriotic actions and thoughts.

Patriotism and love of man :

Patriotism is evidently a high-grade virtue, essential for the progress and independent existence of very country. About this, there is no denial. But, it is asked, is patriotism the ultimate goal of man? In other words, is my country the exclusive and ultimate unit of my allegiance? Or do I owe any allegiance to anything  higher, anything greater, in short, to the world and the entire humanity? 

Dangers of narrow patriotism :

While it is true that national patriotism is an indispensable virtue for every sound hearted man, it is not right to allow this sentiment to eclipse other considerations, such as those that we owe to humanity. I must love my own country. But can I enslave others to secure my country’s prosperity?

To make patriotism a really noble ideal, it is, therefore, necessary to equate its demands with the ends of humanity at large, love of motherland must not blind us to the obligations that we owe to the world. In short, the fervor of patriotism must be sobered by a proper respect for other people’s inalienable rights and demands.