I've been working with Pat Robertson on Africa debt-relief, and

The actor and advocate George Clooney once spoke with humility and insight: “I've been working with Pat Robertson on Africa debt-relief, and we disagree on virtually everything except certain very specific, inalienable rights, and the truth is that morality and patriotism come in all shapes and sizes.” These words remind us that even among those who walk different paths, there can be shared ground. Clooney acknowledges the vast gulf between himself and Robertson in thought and belief, yet he also affirms that there are values so sacred—inalienable rights, human dignity, compassion—that they transcend division.

The heart of Clooney’s words lies in his recognition that morality and patriotism are not uniform garments worn in the same way by every soul. Rather, they are lived differently according to conscience, culture, and experience. What matters is not sameness, but sincerity. When two people with clashing worldviews can stand side by side to relieve the crushing burden of African debt, they prove that higher principles are greater than partisan lines. Thus, Clooney’s words echo an ancient truth: unity need not mean uniformity.

History offers powerful examples of such alliances. In the early days of the United States, men as different as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton clashed bitterly on nearly every matter of government. Yet when the young republic trembled, both lent their talents to its survival, bound not by personal agreement but by their shared devotion to the nation’s promise of liberty. Their cooperation, though uneasy, planted the seeds of stability for generations to come. This is the very spirit Clooney reflects—that one need not agree on all things to work together for the good of humanity.

By naming both morality and patriotism, Clooney reminds us that these ideals too often become narrow and exclusive, claimed only by those who believe their way is the only way. But true morality cannot be monopolized, nor can true patriotism. There are countless expressions of love for one’s country: the soldier who defends its borders, the activist who protests its injustices, the teacher who cultivates its children, the doctor who heals its poor. Each, in their own way, embodies loyalty and love. In the same manner, morality wears many faces: charity, justice, honesty, courage. Its shapes are as diverse as the people who live it.

The meaning for us is clear: we must not dismiss or despise those whose vision of the world differs from our own. When the cause is just, even unlikely allies can stand shoulder to shoulder. Clooney’s cooperation with Robertson on African debt relief shows that when human suffering cries out, differences must be set aside for the sake of mercy. This is the higher calling of morality, and the truest form of patriotism—not loyalty to self or faction, but to principles greater than either.

Let the lesson be passed down: do not confuse disagreement with enmity. Respect that the truth of morality and patriotism comes in many forms, and seek the common thread even among those who oppose you. In doing so, you may find that the strength of a community, or even of a nation, lies not in sameness but in its ability to unite across difference for the sake of justice and compassion.

Practically, this means cultivating both humility and openness. Work with those whose views you may not share if together you can bring about healing, relief, or progress. Do not shrink from cooperation simply because the other’s banner looks different from your own. Instead, ask what sacred values you both uphold—be it dignity, life, liberty, or compassion—and build upon them. In this way, your patriotism will not be narrow, but expansive, reflecting the many shapes it may take.

Thus, Clooney’s words stand as a torch of wisdom: morality and patriotism are not chains to bind us in sameness, but bridges to connect us in diversity. If you can honor that truth, you will find allies in unexpected places, and together you will carry forward the eternal work of justice, mercy, and love.