It is but refusing to gratify an unreasonable or an insolent

“It is but refusing to gratify an unreasonable or an insolent demand, and up starts a patriot.” So declared Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister, with the sharpness of irony and the weight of experience. In these words he exposes the way that men often cloak their private quarrels and personal disappointments in the noble robes of patriotism. Too often, he observed, a man denied his desire—be it wealth, favor, or power—suddenly proclaims himself a champion of the nation, as though the cause of his wounded pride were the cause of the people.

The meaning is both piercing and timeless. Walpole, a man long accused of corruption by his opponents, saw how easily the language of patriotism could be twisted. To be called a “patriot” is to be revered, to be seen as one who places country above self. Yet in truth, some men adopt the mantle not out of love for their homeland, but out of resentment, ambition, or revenge. Thus, Walpole warns us: beware those who cry loudest of loyalty, for sometimes their patriotism is but a mask for private grievance.

History offers many examples of such pretenders. Recall the days of ancient Rome, when Catiline, a nobleman thwarted in his quest for higher office, wrapped himself in the language of reform. He proclaimed himself a savior of the people, a defender of liberty against the ruling elite. Yet behind the mask lay conspiracy and treason. His “patriotism” was but the cloak for his wounded pride and lust for power. Cicero unmasked him, reminding Rome that not every loud voice crying “for the people” is truly of the people.

Yet Walpole’s words also carry a deeper wisdom: true patriotism does not arise from insult or denial. It is not born in the heat of personal resentment. Rather, it is forged in the quiet fire of devotion, in the steady willingness to serve even when one’s own desires go unmet. The false patriot is revealed by his sudden rage when denied; the true patriot endures denial and still labors for the common good.

But let us not forget: the danger of false patriots is not only in their ambition, but in the people’s eagerness to believe them. For the crowd often delights in those who shout loudly against authority, mistaking rebellion for righteousness. Yet the wise discern between the honest voice of justice and the hollow cry of self-interest. This discernment is the duty of every citizen, lest they be led astray by those who use the sacred word of patriotism as a ladder for their own advancement.

The lesson to be passed down is this: judge the patriot not by his cries, but by his deeds. Ask: does he labor for the people, or merely for himself? Does he grow quiet when his desires are met, only to grow loud when they are denied? Such men are not patriots but pretenders. The true son or daughter of the land serves regardless of recognition, gives without expectation, and remains faithful even when unpraised.

Practically, this means cultivating vigilance. Do not be swayed by every voice that drapes itself in the flag. Watch for consistency of character. Honor those who serve faithfully over time, not those who rise suddenly in outrage when thwarted. And in your own life, root your patriotism not in wounded pride or selfish demand, but in steadfast love, patient service, and sacrifice for the common good.

So let Walpole’s words echo as warning and wisdom: false patriots rise easily when denied their way, but true patriots are proven in silence, in endurance, and in devotion that asks for nothing but the well-being of their country. Follow the true, beware the false, and let your loyalty to the land be tested not by insult, but by time.