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40 Patriotic Quotes That Honor the United States of America

You'll be filled with American pride after reading these patriotic quotes.

aAmerica the beautiful!rd.com

Patriotic quotes

With Memorial Day coming up and the Fourth of July not far behind, you may be looking for a patriotic boost. These patriotic quotes will inspire you, fill you with pride, and challenge you to understand the true meaning of the word. After all, it’s up to each one of us to make our country a better place and live up to our ideals. Share these quotes with your pals who could use some inspiration and a reminder about what makes this country great.

If you lost a loved one in the military or know someone who did, you’ll appreciate these Memorial Day quotes, and we’ve also got some Memorial Day activities to make the day meaningful. When you’re preparing for Independence day, these Fourth of July quotes will get you in the mood for celebrating.

"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." —Adlai Stevenson, former governor of Illinois.rd.com

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” —Adlai Stevenson, former governor of Illinois. Here are some patriotic movies to watch on the Fourth of July (or all year round).

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." —Benjamin Franklin, politician, philosopher, and writer.rd.com

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” —Benjamin Franklin, politician, philosopher, and writer. Do you know about the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." —John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States.rd.com

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” —John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States. 

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

“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.” —Charles de Gaulle, French statesman. Sure, Charles de Gaulle was French, not American, but he still has some solid patriotic quotes! All Americans should also know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

"True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth." —Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Ladyrd.com

“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth.” —Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady. In addition to these patriotic quotes, here are uplifting quotes that will stay with you.

"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." —Albert Camus, author and philosopherrd.com

“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” —Albert Camus, author and philosopher

"It’s important that we establish that we are a country that has open arms and not closed borders for people. It’s important because we let people know why America is what it is. It’s about an ideal and that ideal is freedom for everybody." —Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, producer, and actressrd.com

“It’s important that we establish that we are a country that has open arms and not closed borders for people. It’s important because we let people know why America is what it is. It’s about an ideal and that ideal is freedom for everybody.” —Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, producer, and actress. Speaking of freedom, this is what the First Amendment really means.

"Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong." —James Bryce, former British Ambassador to the United Statesrd.com

“Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.” —James Bryce, former British Ambassador to the United States. If you love displaying the flag’s colors, check out these gorgeous red, white, and blue desserts you can make for any patriotic holiday,

"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore!" —Oliver Wendell Holmes, poetrd.com

“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore!” —Oliver Wendell Holmes, poet. These are the American flag facts you never knew.

"National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals: a necessary condition for self-improvement." —Richard Rorty, philosopherrd.com

“National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals: a necessary condition for self-improvement.” —Richard Rorty, philosopher. We bet you never knew these fascinating facts about America.

"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, writerrd.com

“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, writer.

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." —Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War soldierrd.com

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” —Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War soldier.

Patriotic Quotes Malcolm XRD.COM

“You can’t separate peace and freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” —Malcolm X, human rights activist and Muslim minister. Here are more powerful quotes that speak volumes in the fight against racism.

"I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit." —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United Statesrd.com

“I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.” —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States. If you’re thrilled that America now has a Black, Southeast Asian, and female vice president, you’ll love these inspiring Kamala Harris quotes.

“I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” —John Thune, South Dakota senatorrd.com

“I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” —John Thune, South Dakota senator. Did you know that there are American flag etiquette rules that you’ve probably been breaking?

"America is a tune. It must be sung together." —Gerald Stanley Lee, clergyman and writerrd.com

“America is a tune. It must be sung together.” —Gerald Stanley Lee, clergyman and writer.

"Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history." —John McCain, former Senator and Navy officerrd.com

“Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.” —John McCain, former Senator and Navy officer

"I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism." —Bob Riley, former governor of Alabamard.com

“I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism.” —Bob Riley, former governor of Alabama.

"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous." —Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, orator, and writerrd.com

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” —Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, orator, and writer.

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

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

"What I can do for my country, I am willing to do." —Christopher Gadsden, Continental Congress delegate and soldierrd.com

“What I can do for my country, I am willing to do.” —Christopher Gadsden, Continental Congress delegate and soldier

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America." —Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United Statesrd.com

“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.” —Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States

Patriotic Quotes James BaldwinRD.COM

“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” —James Baldwin, novelist

"Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” —Douglas MacArthur, American generalrd.com

“Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” —Douglas MacArthur, American general. Along with these patriotic quotes, these quotes about nature will help you celebrate America the beautiful.

“We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something—for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.” —Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United Statesrd.com

“We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something—for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.” —Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States

"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave." —Joseph Rodman Drake, poetrd.com

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” —Joseph Rodman Drake, poet

"I say to you that our goal is freedom, and I believe we are going to get there because however much she strays away from it, the goal of America is freedom.” —Martin Luther King, Jr., reverend and civil rights leaderrd.com

“I say to you that our goal is freedom, and I believe we are going to get there because however much she strays away from it, the goal of America is freedom.” —Martin Luther King, Jr., reverend and civil rights leader. Here are more of the best Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes.

"The fate of America cannot depend on any one man. The greatness of America is grounded in principles and not on any single personality." —Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United Statesrd.com

“The fate of America cannot depend on any one man. The greatness of America is grounded in principles and not on any single personality.” —Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." —Elmer Davis, news reporter and authorrd.com

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” —Elmer Davis, news reporter and author

Patriotic Quotes Peter MarshallRD.COM

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” —Peter Marshall, TV personality

"America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor." —Paul Tsongas, former Massachusetts Congressmanrd.com

“America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.” —Paul Tsongas, former Massachusetts Congressman. Here are more hope quotes that will instantly lift you up.

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” —Douglas MacArthur, American generalrd.com

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” —Douglas MacArthur, American general

“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” —Mary Roach, authorrd.com

“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” —Mary Roach, author. These powerful kindness quotes will stay with you.

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it." —Barack Obama, 44th president of the United Statesrd.com

“In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it.” —Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States. Check out more strength quotes that will give you courage and confidence.

"Change often seems impossible until it is inevitable. Just as we must own our lives, we must own our country. For, we, the people, are ultimately in control of America’s story." —Valerie Jarrett, businesswoman and former presidential assistant.rd.com

“Change often seems impossible until it is inevitable. Just as we must own our lives, we must own our country. For, we, the people, are ultimately in control of America’s story.” —Valerie Jarrett, businesswoman and former presidential assistant

Patriotic Quotes A. Philip RandolphRD.COM

“Freedom is never given; it is won.” —A. Philip Randolph, American labor unionist and civil rights activist

Patriotic Quotes By Robert FrostRD.COM

“Freedom lies in being bold.” —Robert Frost, American poet

Patriotic Quotes Claudia PembertonRD.COM

“America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.” —Claudia Pemberton, author

Patriotic Quotes Ralph Waldo EmersonRD.COM

“America is another name for opportunity.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet

Patriotic Quotes Bob DylanRD.COM

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” —Bob Dylan, American singer-songwriter. After reading these patriotic quotes, check out these gorgeous American flag pictures that will instantly make you feel proud.

Meghan Jones
Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. You can find her byline on pieces about grammar, fun facts, the meanings of various head-scratching words and phrases, and more. Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece “Anticipation” was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine.