From the LRC blog

St Augustine made one thing perfectly clear: the individual’s highest priority is the salvation of his soul. The state cannot save our soul. Hence, the state is limited, metaphysically and irreversibly. Our freedom to seek our most important goal is irrevocable.

Every tyranny has begun by denying that eternal goal so the tyrant could totally control his victims and make his nightmares a reality. If there is no higher law than Caesar, then Caesar rules without competition.

St Thomas More limns it perfectly: “Men desire authority for its own sake that they may bear a rule, command and control other men, and live uncommanded and uncontrolled themselves.”

— Christopher Manion