Meaning

McFarland is expressing the idea that patriotism draws its energy from something deeper than politics or national pride in the abstract. Love of country, in his framing, is an emotional and almost spiritual attachment that acts as a continuous source, the thing that keeps the feeling of patriotism alive and warm over time. Without that underlying love, patriotism would have no fuel. The image of a holy fire suggests something both sacred and fragile, requiring tending and genuine feeling to sustain it.

Why it resonates

The quote speaks to a distinction many people sense but find hard to articulate: the difference between performing patriotism as a public gesture and feeling it as something personal and sincere. Using the word love places the origin of patriotism in the heart rather than in duty or obligation, which makes it feel more authentic and less coercive. The fire metaphor also captures the idea that this feeling can diminish if neglected, which adds a quiet urgency to the message.

How to use it

This quote works well in speeches, essays, or personal reflections connected to civic holidays, community events, or discussions about what it means to belong to a place. It is also a good choice for memorial tributes, local history projects, or any writing that wants to honor genuine civic feeling without sounding combative or partisan. Pair it with context about why love of a community, rather than abstract nationalism, matters to the point you are making.