Who said “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”?

Verified

Edward Abbey. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceA Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Authors A–Z
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”
— Edward Abbey
VerifiedA Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990) · evidencePatriotism

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990).

APA

Abbey, E. (n.d.). A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32024-a-patriot-must-always-be-ready-to-defend/

MLA

Abbey, Edward. “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32024-a-patriot-must-always-be-ready-to-defend/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Abbey, Edward. “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32024-a-patriot-must-always-be-ready-to-defend/.

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VerifiedLast words before being hanged by the British as a spy, (September 22, 1776), according to the account by William Hull based on reports by British Captain John Montresor who was present and who spoke to Hull under a flag of truce the next day · evidenceDetails & citePatriotism

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