Letter to Diognetus
The Christian in the world
Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs; yet live as passing through.
Their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country.
They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh.
They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven.
Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.
Christians love all men, but all men persecute them.
Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again.
They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything.
They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory.
They are defamed, but vindicated.
A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult.
For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life.
They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.
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