"When a dog barks at the moon, then it is religion; but when he barks at strangers, it is patriotism!"

This quote by David Starr Jordan is an amusing way of contrasting two different sorts of loyalty. The first sort of commitment is religion, which is stood for by the pet dog barking at the moon. This is since religion is commonly viewed as a spiritual link between a specific and a higher power. The 2nd sort of commitment is nationalism, which is stood for by the pet barking at complete strangers. This is due to the fact that patriotism is typically seen as a commitment to one's nation and a desire to protect it. By contrasting these two sorts of loyalty, Jordan is suggesting that both are very important and also must be respected. He is likewise recommending that loyalty to one's country is equally as vital as commitment to one's confidence. Eventually, this quote is a reminder that commitment to one's belief as well as commitment to one's nation must both be appreciated and also appreciated.