True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.

The line reframes patriotism as a moral discipline rather than a reflex of loyalty. Instead of equating love of country with defending it from criticism, it argues that genuine devotion is most sharply tested at home: a patriot should be least tolerant of injustice committed by their own society, because they are implicated in it and have the greatest responsibility and capacity to address it. The aphorism also critiques performative nationalism that condemns wrongdoing abroad while excusing domestic abuses. In this sense, “true patriotism” becomes aligned with civic courage, dissent, and reform—an ethic of holding one’s own community to higher standards rather than lowering standards in the name of unity.