4th Of July Quotes

“Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind -- a reflection of our own personal sense of worth, and respect for our roots. Love of country plays a part, but it's not merely love. Neither is it pride, although pride too is one of the ingredients.

Patriotism is a commitment to what is best inside us all. And it's a recognition of that wondrous common essence in our greater surroundings -- our school, team, city, state, our immediate society -- often ultimately delineated by our ethnic roots and borders... but not always.

Indeed, these border lines are so fluid... And we do not pay allegiance as much as we resonate with a shared spirit.

We all feel an undeniable bond with the land where we were born. And yet, if we leave it for another, we grow to feel a similar bond, often of a more complex nature. Both are forms of patriotism -- the first, involuntary, by birth, the second by choice.

Neither is less worthy than the other.

But one is earned.”
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

“To think for yourself.
To choose for yourself.
To speak for yourself.
To act for yourself.
To be yourself.
These are human rights worth defending.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“Ma'am," he said, reaching for the door. He held it open, his posture as erect and sturdy as a pole.

I eyed the man's uniform, the pins and badges that signified his military rank and position. At that moment I felt opposing forces wash over me, clashing internally like a cold and warm front meeting in the air.

At first I was hit by a burning sense of respect and gratitude. How privileged a person I was to have this soldier unbar the way for me, maintaining a clear path that I might advance unhindered. The symbolism marked by his actions did strike me with remarkable intensity. How many virtual doors would be shut in my face if not for dutiful soldiers like him?

As I went to step forward, my feet nearly faltered as if they felt unworthy. It was I who ought to be holding open the door for this gentleman—this representative of great heroes present and past who did fight and sacrifice and continue to do so to keep doors open, paths free and clear for all of humanity.

I moved through the entrance and thanked him.

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

How strange that I should feel such pride while passing through his open door.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a Few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year

“With the exponential improvement in technology, the destiny of humanity should move towards more collaboration, more generosity, more freedom, more caring and more fulfilling life for everyone, and not nuclear annihilation.”
― Amit Ray, Nuclear Weapons Free World - Peace on the Earth

“Let freedom ring / let the white dove sing / let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning.

As epigraph to Part III, quoting lyrics, Gretchen Peters, "Independence Day”
― Don Winslow, The Force

“Liberty, once tasted, is an incurable addiction.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“When liberty exists, there is opportunity.
When liberty matures, there is productivity.
When liberty expands, there is responsibility.
When liberty succeeds, there is exceptionality.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“You can say what you think. You can write what you feel. You can express your beliefs, your doubts, your gripes, your likes, your opinions. You can gain an education in any area of your choosing. You can chase after dreams and change them on a whim. You can bear arms to defend yourself, family, and friends. You can pursue justice from a jury of peers. You can do these things and more because numerous men and women have fought and died to protect your right to exercise freedoms. You can do these things because numerous men and women continue to boldly stand up and protect your right to be free. Never forget this. Never forget the cost of freedom.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“Freedom is the color of red. It is saturated with the blood of those who fought to attain it, and it will continue to be colored by the blood of those who fight to protect it.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“Implore to self and pray for country, in your patriotic hearts, to be raising the flag of countless gratitudes while torching that one of idolatry.”
― Criss Jami

“There’s nothing free and easy about freedom and ease.”
― Richie Norton, Anti-Time Management: Reclaim Your Time and Revolutionize Your Results with the Power of Time Tipping

“Happy belated 4th of July to the Americans July 2, 1776, was meant for. Not the American's; some of whom's ancestors fought for the British against a nation that DIDN'T then, COULDN'T after The Emancipation Proclamation, and still CAN'T seem to recognize our basic human rights.”
― A.K. Kuykendall

“it strikes me that the spirit of the Fourth, this year, was used up by September's end and fell like an early leaf.”
― William H. Gass, Life Sentences: Literary Judgments and Accounts

“Flag Cruelty Fraught (The New American Anthem)

Say, can you see,
The darkness we've caused?
Our star spangled banner,
Is a flag cruelty fraught.
It ain't land of the free,
It ain't home of the brave.
Where looks define dignity,
Is but humanity's grave.
Slavery is alive as racism,
Bigotry still claims dominion.
First we must treat these ailments,
Or else, for us there is no dawn.
O say, it's time to abolish all false glory.
Forget valor, let's first practice equality.”
― Abhijit Naskar, Gente Mente Adelante: Prejudice Conquered is World Conquered

“This Fourth of July, instead of celebrating your Americanness, do something to redeem your humanness. Anybody can become a super power by exploiting and abusing others - that's not greatness, it's bestiality - but to grow super without trampling on anybody, that's greatness - better yet, to grow super together with everybody, that's absolute greatness.”
― Abhijit Naskar, Tum Dunya Tek Millet: Greatest Country on Earth is Earth

“Naskar's Folly (The Sonnet)

If your perception doesn't evolve with time,
It's not a sign of conviction but cowardice.
So in this sonnet I take it upon myself,
to correct my own early follies.

In one of my early works I called America,
"a great country, built by great people,"
while the harsh humanitarian fact of earth is,
America is a terrorist nation, built by criminals.

I once naively asked to 'appreciate the soldiers',
while unintentionally undermining peace-activism.
That one line has been eating me alive, until
in 2023 I declared, "military is legal terrorism."

Own up your follies, use them to sharpen your conviction.
Mistakes acknowledged are the beginning of illumination.”
― Abhijit Naskar, World War Human: 100 New Earthling Sonnets