I often wonder when folks say they are committed to a society, a group, even when their actions speak otherwise. “I would die for my fatherland” (or is it motherland?) they say, but I will have them know that actions speak louder than words. Patriotism is a concept which arises as a result of certain characteristics or traits in a particular society, and such an orientation is not confined. It pervades a person’s thinking, outlook and actions. A patriotic individual does not need to be forced into obeying the laws of the land because it’s his pride to do so. The patriotic individual is hardly aware he is patriotic because his orientation has become a guided principle of life. When he lives, he lives for his country. A patriot is a fearless soldier, a tireless sportsman, an honest citizen. He takes actions that bring glory to his country rather than for personal gain. Remember patriots like Ken Saro Wiwa, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and many others, who lived their lives for the cause of their nations. However, there are some folks who interpret a patriotic citizen as a fool, because they fail to see the thin line that exists between a patriotic citizen and a self-centred one. The suicide bomber is more of a misguided miscreant than an honourable citizen. A patriotic citizen is not a war-mongering political leader. Neither is he a self-perpetrating office holder. He respects the content of the social contract, he does not see himself as the only vessel of knowledge, and he is humble enough to respect the wisdom of others. He is exalted by others, not himself. Patriotism is a must-have virtue for which the possessor cannot claim personal glory.

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