Patriotism varies, from a noble devotion to a moral lunacy.

Inge draws a sharp distinction between patriotism as an ethical commitment and patriotism as an irrational passion. On one end, “noble devotion” suggests love of country expressed through civic responsibility, sacrifice, and fidelity to shared ideals. On the other, “moral lunacy” implies a collective derangement in which national loyalty overrides conscience—excusing cruelty, suppressing dissent, or treating outsiders as less than human. The line functions as a warning against confusing virtue with fervor: the same sentiment that can motivate public service can also be weaponized into chauvinism. Inge’s phrasing underscores how easily moral judgment can be displaced by tribal allegiance.