What is the difference between patriots and saints?

What is the difference between patriots and saints? Loyal patriots are always ready to sacrifice their lives for their nation, and they live and invest themselves for the public good. Saints, however, transcend their race and nation, and live for all humankind. Going beyond that, they live for God who dwells in the public domain of the cosmos. More than just following the way of filial piety in the family or loyalty to the nation, saints are determined to fulfill the way of loyalty and filial piety in front of all humankind. They are willing to abandon their position as loyal patriots and forget their country and king. Even if the king grabs their hands and pleads with them, saying, “Our country will be brought to ruin if you go,” saints won’t concern themselves with their king’s situation. After they fulfill the way of the saint in the world, they will be recognized by heaven as having done something far greater than just being a loyal patriot to their king. (101‑150, 1978.10.29.)

A saint is a public person. He is a man who fulfills the way of loyalty and filial piety in front of all humankind. He is a man who readies to sacrifice their lives for all humankind. Why is that? Only when we live a public life can we live with the heart of God. Because we have to live a public life so that we can live a life where our original minds can be pleased. Because we have to live a public life to make a connection with the eternal world. Because we can be completely happy only when we live a public life.