Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel

Samuel Johnson was a curious man.

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Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel

Samuel Johnson 18 September [ O. Johnson was known as a staunch Tory or was thought not to be active within politics; his political writings were subsequently disregarded and neglected. Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson is partly to blame. Boswell did not meet Johnson until later in life and was unable to discuss how politics affected Johnson during his early years. Two periods, Robert Walpole 's control over British Parliament and the Seven Years' War , were Johnson's most active periods and are the source for much of his early writings. Although Boswell was present with Johnson during the s and described four major pamphlets written by Johnson, he neglected to discuss them because he is more interested in their travels to Scotland. That is compounded by the fact that Boswell held an opinion contradictory to two of the pamphlets, The False Alarm and Taxation No Tyranny , and so he attacked Johnson's views in his biography [1] —including Johnson's attacks on slavery. Boswell was not the only reason for Johnson to be disregarded as a political thinker. Thomas Babington Macaulay tried to promote the belief that Johnson's political thoughts were nonsensical and the writings of a bigot. In , he printed The Patriot , a critique of what he viewed as false patriotism. On the evening of 7 April , he made a famous statement: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Johnson opposed most "self-professed patriots" in general but valued what he considered "true" patriotism. The last of the pamphlets, Taxation No Tyranny , was a defence of the Coercive Acts and a response to the Declaration of Rights of the First Continental Congress of America, which protested against taxation without representation. In a parody of the Declaration of Rights, Johnson suggested that the Americans had no more right to govern themselves than the Cornish people. If the Americans wanted to participate in Parliament, Johnson said that they could move to England and purchase an estate.

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Samuel Johnson? James Boswell? Samuel Maunder? Henry F. Bernard J. Dear Quote Investigator: A politician whose popularity is dropping may attempt to recapture acceptance by disingenuously embracing jingoistic patriotism. Here are three versions of a germane saying:.

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Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel

Samuel Johnson 18 September [ O. Johnson was known as a staunch Tory or was thought not to be active within politics; his political writings were subsequently disregarded and neglected. Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson is partly to blame. Boswell did not meet Johnson until later in life and was unable to discuss how politics affected Johnson during his early years. Two periods, Robert Walpole 's control over British Parliament and the Seven Years' War , were Johnson's most active periods and are the source for much of his early writings. Although Boswell was present with Johnson during the s and described four major pamphlets written by Johnson, he neglected to discuss them because he is more interested in their travels to Scotland. That is compounded by the fact that Boswell held an opinion contradictory to two of the pamphlets, The False Alarm and Taxation No Tyranny , and so he attacked Johnson's views in his biography [1] —including Johnson's attacks on slavery.

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Download as PDF Printable version. We have met on a day dedicated forever to celebrating and inculcating patriotism. Michael 3, books view quotes. James Boswell? Mar 03, AM. Johnson actually valued patriotism as an idea, but he was — probably quite rightly — suspicious of those who use the word to describe themselves without following up such a label with any meaningful actions. Oct 31, AM. Being urged not by Johnson, to name one exception, I mentioned an eminent person, whom we all greatly admired. Shubham 68 books view quotes. Feb 25, AM. Skip to content Samuel Johnson? Abhilash books view quotes.

The quote "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" by Samuel Johnson is a thought-provoking statement that calls into question the sincerity and motives of those who use patriotism as a shield for their questionable actions. At first glance, it may appear to be a simple observation about the darker side of human nature.

Jun 15, AM. Jul 22, PM. Learn more. Johnson actually valued patriotism as an idea, but he was — probably quite rightly — suspicious of those who use the word to describe themselves without following up such a label with any meaningful actions. Type your email…. Rina books view quotes. The group was formed in opposition to the ministry of Robert Walpole, the first de facto Prime Minister of Britain. May 10, PM. Jun 28, AM. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Go to mobile version. Sign in with Facebook Sign in options. Shawon 2, books view quotes.