“Love of country is the first among all loves.”Nicolae Iorga · Cugetări · 1911 · secțiunea IV
Patriotism is the foundation for all other loves and obligations.
Iorga places patriotism above love for family, friends, or self, because the country is the framework that makes all other loves possible. It provides identity, language, and shared history. A person who truly loves their country will fight for its good even when personal interests demand otherwise, such as paying taxes honestly or defending community values.
Why it matters It reminds us that, in the face of collective crises, national solidarity is more important than individual interests.