Quote by Mark Twain
My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death.
Summary
This quote implies that the speaker's loyalty lies with their country itself and not with its institutions or leaders. The country is deemed as the authentic, lasting and significant entity that deserves protection and care. Institutions, in contrast, are depicted as transient and expendable, akin to clothing that can deteriorate and fail to provide essential safeguards. The emphasis is on prioritizing the well-being and preservation of the country over the temporary structures that govern it.
Topics
Patriotism
By Mark Twain
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