Saint Augustine distinguishes two cities:
- the earthly city
- of the heavenly city
Of course, for Saint Augustine, the heavenly city is the most important. For the first city is perishable (earthly city), while the second is promised to eternal joys. (celestial city)
Saint Augustine writes thus:
Two loves have therefore made two cities: love of self to the point of contempt for God, the earthly city; love of God to the point of contempt for self, the heavenly city.
The one glorifies itself in itself, the other in the Lord. The one asks for its glory from men; for the other, God, the witness of its conscience, is its greatest glory.
Saint Augustine, The City of God
