Patriotism
Wherefore we have no country on earth, that we may despise earthly possessions. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.281
But as for you, you are a foreigner in this world, a citizen of Jerusalem, the city above. Our citizenship, the apostle says, is in heaven. You have your own registers, your own calendar; you have nothing to do with the joys of the world; nay, you are called to the very opposite, for "the world shall rejoice, but you shall mourn." Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 101
For how can a man be just who injures, who hates, who despoils, who puts to death? And they who strive to be serviceable to their country do all these things…Whoever, then, has gained for his country these goods - as they themselves call them - that is, who by the overthrow of cities and the destruction of nations has filled the treasury with money, has taken lands and enriched his country-men - he is extolled with praises to the heaven: in him there is said to be the greatest and perfect virtue. And this is the error not only of the people and the ignorant, but also of philosophers…Therefore, when they are speaking of the duties relating to warfare, all that discourse is accommodated neither to justice nor to true virtue, but to this life and to civil institutions. Lactantius (A.D. 303-313) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.6 pg.168-169
(Lucilius, a Pagan writes) “It is a virtue to give that which is really due to honor… That is, we should consider the interests of our country first, those of our parents should come next and our own interests should be in the third and last place.”… (Christian Reply) “However, we will presently see how false these things are… It is a virtue to restrain anger to control desire, and to curb lust. For this is to flee from vice. …Also, if desire is restrained, no one will use violence by land or sea. Nor will anyone lean an army off and lay waste to the property of others. For what are the interests of our country but the hardships of another state or nation? To extend the boundaries that are violently taken from others, to increase the power of the state to improve revenues - all these things are not virtues, but the overthrowing of virtues. Lactantius (A.D. 303-313) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.6 pg.168-169
SEE ALSO: WAR, LOVE OF ENEMIES, KINGDOMS TWO SEPARATE