My country, right or wrong is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying My mother, drunk or sober.

Summary

This quote, often attributed to American naval officer Stephen Decatur, emphasizes that blind loyalty to one's country is not a virtue. It suggests that true patriotism involves critical thinking and the willingness to hold one's country accountable for its actions. Comparing allegiance to the country with loyalty to a flawed mother highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing the flaws or mistakes of one's nation, rather than blindly supporting it regardless of its actions.

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