Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Samuel Johnson, the great moralist of the eighteenth century, once uttered words that have thundered through history: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” With this sharp saying, he stripped bare the hypocrisy of false devotion. He did not condemn true love of country, but he warned that many a corrupt soul, cornered by guilt or ambition, seeks shelter in the cry of patriotism, using it as a cloak to disguise selfishness, greed, and deceit. In these words lies both a rebuke and a warning, for the scoundrel often dresses himself in the noblest robes to hide the foulest heart.

The origin of this quote comes from Johnson’s deep suspicion of empty words and hollow virtue. In his time, as in ours, politicians and opportunists often invoked their country’s honor, not to serve it, but to protect themselves from scrutiny. Johnson, ever the man who sought truth over pretense, saw through this sham. He spoke these words to remind men that when all other masks are stripped away, when every excuse is exhausted, the dishonest will seize upon the sacred name of patriotism as their final refuge.

History offers us many vivid examples of Johnson’s wisdom. Consider the demagogues of the French Revolution, who proclaimed themselves lovers of liberty and saviors of France, but who led thousands to the guillotine in the name of the Republic. They were scoundrels cloaked in patriotic zeal, using the sacred cry of freedom as cover for their lust for power. Or think of the countless rulers who launched wars of conquest, calling them wars of honor or destiny, when in truth they sought only glory for themselves. Each time, patriotism was their mask; each time, suffering was the result.

Yet Johnson’s words must not be misunderstood. He did not despise true patriotism—the humble, steadfast love of one’s land and people. Rather, he despised its corruption. True patriots labor quietly for justice, defend their nation with sacrifice, and seek the good of their fellows. False patriots boast loudly, demand obedience, and condemn all dissent as treason. The scoundrel does not love his country; he loves only his advantage, and he drapes himself in the flag to protect it.

The power of Johnson’s warning lies in its timelessness. Even today, we hear the cry of false patriots who stir division, insisting that loyalty to them is loyalty to the nation. They wield patriotism like a shield against criticism, while their deeds betray the very principles they claim to defend. Such men are dangerous, for they corrupt the noblest of virtues and turn it into a weapon of deceit.

The lesson for us is clear: do not be deceived by loud words or flashy displays of devotion. Look beyond the cry of patriotism and examine the fruit of actions. Ask: does this man serve the people, or himself? Does his claim of love for country uplift the weak, strengthen the just, and preserve the truth—or does it silence dissent, enrich himself, and demand blind obedience? If the latter, then he is not a patriot but a scoundrel, and his patriotism is nothing more than his last refuge.

Therefore, take Johnson’s words as a lamp for your own path. Love your country with humility, but do not mistake noise for loyalty. Be willing to question those who cloak themselves in flags while they plunder the treasury of justice. Serve your homeland not with boasts, but with deeds of honesty, mercy, and courage. For true patriotism is not a refuge for scoundrels—it is the dwelling place of the brave, the just, and the selfless.

So let his teaching endure: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Let it remind us always to guard the sacred flame of loyalty from the hands of deceivers. Let it teach us to honor the true patriots, who need no refuge but truth, and to expose the false, who hide behind words when their deeds betray them. In this way, we keep the love of country pure, and pass it to future generations as a treasure unsullied by hypocrisy.