C. S. Lewis Quote

"A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself."

by:	C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist
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Categories:	Freedom, Government, Honor, Integrity, Liberty, Love, Patriotism, Power, Reason, Republic, Responsibility, Socialism, Society, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Tyranny, Wisdom, God, Death
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This quote by Lewis was obviously based on the biblical account of certain Pharisees tempting Christ. By way of example: Matthew (22:20, 21) "And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Jesus' reference polarized two extreme sovereign principals (Caesar and God). The term 'Caesar' is a political reference to the originating sovereign of an extended government with subsequent authority and power, i.e. he being the king or supreme principal (in a pure Christian Constitutional Representative Republic, such as the de jure United States, the individual of 'We The People' is Caesar or legally supreme principal). Caesar is not a reference to the government as a whole but rather, government’s implementing sovereign. Lewis was also making clear, he who believes the government to have powers exceeding that of the individual, calling the government Caesar, is of a slave heart and mind.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2 1
A man's life is his own.  -- Joe, Rochester, MI      2
It is a noble gift to serve one's country -- however, when it is a 'duty', it is oppression.  -- E Archer, NYC      1 1
God is the only one who really knows what he is doing.  -- David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood      3
The quotation, in my opinion, applies to today's Superpatriot whose every word and deed says the State is right.  -- A.Jurgensen, Stuart, FL      2 2
-- warren, olathe
-- Anonymous
Compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, and larceny with impunity (income tax, funny money, etc.) are all aspects of a despotic and in toto aloof from 'We The People' Caesar. Again, in the de jure representative republic that was the States United, each individual sovereign, the you and me, were / are Caesar.  -- Mike, Norwalk
-- J Carlton, Calgary
"Caesar" is in this context is meant as a broad euphemism for any temporary earthly force that would rob you of your labor. "Caesar" can be a political body, a religious organization, or the governing board of a corporation. I believe Jesus warns us that although the fruits of your labor may be taken from you, you must continue to serve God only.  -- Justin, Elkland      1
-- Anonymous
I liked this until he brought God into it - we are all suckers to this fairy tale - a fairy tale that has death in every line. If Jesus came back today you would kill him like you did before.  -- RBESRQ      1 6
Psalm 14, vrs 1  -- Ron, Salem      2
Where in our Constitution does it support "selective service?"  -- cal, lewisville, tx
Jesus being the King, does the king tax his children or strangers ? Strangers, then the children are FREE. Seeing Israel falls so short in keeping with the knowledge of God, many, many times. " And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out ALL them that sold and bought in the temple, AND OVERTHREW THE TABLES OF THE MONEYCHANGERS, AND THE SEATS OF THEM THAT SOLD DOVES. And said unto THEM, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but YE have made it a house of Thieves ! And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; And He Healed Them ! Matthew 21:12,13,14. Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 21:43. Chapter 22:13 is the state of Israel at the current time. Outer darkness ! in a sea of democratic socialism.  -- Ronw13, USA
Ultimately, sovereignty is a state of mind. The sovereignty of a true sovereign is something such as is discrete from constraints external to him or her. A true sovereign is not a slave of circumstance.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill      1
Liberty and Freedom have Always resided in the Mind and Heart of Man. Natures Way ! God's WAY !  -- Ronw13, USA      1
-- Someone happy with this quote

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