My Country, Right or Wrong

Posted on August 29, 1998 by Al M

The world’s shortest civics quiz

“My country, right or wrong” – Did you know know there were actually two popular interpretations on what this could properly mean? With which interpretation would you identify?

 
Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong.Stephen Decatur, April 1816
 I can never join with my voice in the toast which I see in the papers attributed to one of our gallant naval heroes. I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my country, in a cause where she should be in the wrong. Fiat justitia, pereat coelum ["Let justice be done though heaven should fall" - anonymous, circa 43 B.C.]. My toast would be, may our country always be successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right.John Quincy Adams, August 1, 1816

U.S. flag - Freedom Series

A third quote, thanks to A. Edgars. We think this is the most apropos of all (Jan 2005):

 Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right.Carl Schurz (1829 – 1906)
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