(Of course his country was England so we all feel that way.) Does this way of thinking apply to The United States, Denmark, Mexico or Israel?
Does the abstract feeling of patriotism trump the basic un-abstract feelings of the heart?
Who is the greater traitor the one that betrays his country for a friend or one that betrays his friend to the state?
The poets and the writers of scripture have come down on the side of friendship. Dante places Brutus, Cassius and Judas in the mouth of Satan.
Weren't the Romans just doing what was best for their county and my unfortunately named co-religionist helping to apprehend a known criminal?
In scripture I am more familiar with Jonathan betrayed his father and king because of his love of his friend David. A traitorous act that cost him the throne. why is he is not remembered as a villain?
Of course a State is going to enforce its will through fear as Mr. Forster acknowledges with the word guts. When we fear for our lives and family we tend to make immoral choices immoral governments and immoral agents of those governments make use of this.
I choose my friends carefully and have never had this particular conflict with the state but if I do will I have the guts to make the right choice?