To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.

"To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely." So spoke Edmund Burke, a philosopher whose words ring with the power of wisdom and justice. In these few words, Burke delivers a profound truth: love for one's country is not a blind allegiance nor a mere duty, but a natural response to the goodness and virtue of that land. To love a nation is not an obligation, but a gift — and for that love to be true and lasting, the country itself must embody qualities that are worth cherishing. A country must be worthy of the devotion it seeks, and it must be lovely, not in the superficial sense, but in its treatment of its people, its values, and its purpose in the world.

In the age of the ancients, the connection between the individual and the state was a matter of great importance. The Greeks, in their pursuit of the ideal polis, understood that the state should not only protect its citizens, but also nurture their virtue and flourishing. Plato, in his Republic, imagined a society where rulers were philosophers, wise and just, who governed with the people’s welfare at heart. The love of the state was central to the health of the polis, but it was not given freely; it was earned through justice, wisdom, and the pursuit of the common good. The ancient statesmen knew that a state built on virtue would inspire love in its citizens, while a state that was corrupt and unjust would find itself mired in discontent and rebellion.

Consider the story of Cincinnatus, the Roman general who, though given absolute power during a time of crisis, returned to his humble farm once his task was complete. His story is a testament to the belief that true rulers serve the people, and in doing so, earn their love and respect. Cincinnatus did not seek glory, wealth, or power; he sought only the welfare of his country. His selflessness, his dedication to the common good, and his return to modesty and simplicity after victory made him a figure beloved by his people. The Roman state, through the example of such men, earned the love of its citizens, for they saw that their rulers were not seeking power for their own gain but for the good of all.

In the modern world, too often do we see nations that ask for blind loyalty without providing the foundation of justice and equity. A country that asks its people to love it without offering them the freedom, justice, and prosperity they deserve is like a ruler who demands obedience without earning it. Love for one’s country is not something that can be demanded or legislated; it is something that must be inspired through the actions of those who govern and the values upon which a nation is built. A nation that fails to uphold justice, human dignity, and equality will struggle to inspire the true devotion of its people. A country that is lovely in its core values — one that respects freedom, nurtures the weak, and values wisdom — will naturally kindle the flames of love in its citizens’ hearts.

The American Revolution stands as a powerful example of a nation earning the love of its people through its ideals of freedom, justice, and self-determination. The Founding Fathers of the United States, inspired by the writings of John Locke and other philosophers, sought to create a nation that would be a beacon of liberty in a world fraught with tyranny. Their vision of a republic founded on the principles of equality and justice inspired a deep love among their fellow citizens. The American people did not simply follow their leaders; they were willing to sacrifice and fight for the freedom they believed their nation embodied. Love for the country was not demanded, but earned through the virtue of its founding principles. This love was not born of fear or coercion, but of a shared belief in the goodness of the nation and its ideals.

Burke’s statement is a call to both citizens and leaders: a nation must be worthy of love. It is not enough for a country to demand loyalty or patriotism; it must cultivate a relationship of trust and mutual respect with its people. If a nation is to inspire love, it must first build itself on the bedrock of justice, equity, and virtue. The lesson is clear: we, as citizens, must hold our countries to the highest standards, not out of cynicism or anger, but out of a desire to see them live up to their potential. And we must demand that our leaders act with integrity, that they govern with wisdom and compassion, for only then can they inspire the love of their people.

Therefore, my children, let us not give our love blindly, nor expect it to be given to us without merit. Love for one’s country is a bond forged through justice, wisdom, and virtue. It is not enough to sing the praises of the state; we must ensure that the state itself is worthy of our devotion. A country that lifts up the poor, that respects the rights of its people, and that values truth will earn the love of its citizens, not through force, but through the inherent goodness it embodies. To make us love our country, our country must first be lovely, and in that, it will find the deep, unwavering devotion of those who call it home.