Saint Augustine of Hippo, a prominent theologian and philosopher, is one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity. His works, including “Confessions” and “The City of God,” have shaped Western thought and Christian doctrine. Augustine’s writings explore themes of faith, grace, sin, and human nature. This article delves into 30 of his most famous quotes, providing context and analysis to understand their enduring significance.
1. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
From “Confessions,” this quote reflects Augustine’s belief in the innate human longing for God and the ultimate fulfillment found in divine communion.
2. “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him the greatest human achievement.”
Augustine emphasizes the profound and transformative nature of a relationship with God, framing it as the highest form of love and fulfillment.
3. “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
This quote captures Augustine’s view on faith as a trust in the unseen, which ultimately leads to a deeper understanding and vision of spiritual truths.
4. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Augustine encourages exploration and learning, suggesting that experiencing the world broadens one’s perspective and understanding.
5. “He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.”
This quote highlights Augustine’s belief in free will and the necessity of human cooperation in the process of salvation.
6. “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”
Augustine advocates for a balanced approach to life, combining fervent prayer with diligent action, recognizing both divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
7. “Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.”
Faith precedes understanding in Augustine’s theology. He argues that belief opens the way to deeper insight and comprehension of divine mysteries.
8. “Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.”
Augustine connects love with inner beauty, suggesting that the cultivation of love leads to spiritual and moral refinement.
9. “If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
This quote criticizes selective belief, urging Christians to accept the entirety of the gospel rather than conforming it to personal preferences.
10. “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
Augustine stresses the importance of timely repentance and not delaying spiritual renewal, as the future is uncertain.
11. “The measure of love is to love without measure.”
True love, according to Augustine, is boundless and unconditional, reflecting the infinite love of God.
12. “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”
Humility is a key virtue in Augustine’s thought, seen as the antidote to pride and the path to spiritual elevation.
13. “What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.”
Augustine’s reflection on the nature of time, from “Confessions,” reveals the complexity and mystery of temporal existence.
14. “My weight is my love. Wherever I am carried, my love is carrying me.”
This quote underscores the idea that love directs and defines human actions and choices, acting as the motivating force behind them.
15. “There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.”
Augustine acknowledges the potential for transformation and redemption in every person, regardless of their past actions.
16. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
This quote advocates for unity in fundamental beliefs, freedom in non-essential matters, and love in all interactions.
17. “The greatest evil is physical pain.”
Augustine recognizes the profound impact of physical suffering, considering it one of the most significant forms of evil in the human experience.
18. “God is more truly imagined than expressed, and He exists more truly than He is imagined.”
Augustine emphasizes the transcendence and ineffability of God, suggesting that human language and imagination fall short of fully capturing divine reality.
19. “Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.”
Augustine encourages self-reflection and the recognition of the profound mystery within human beings, often overlooked in favor of external marvels.
20. “Bad times, hard times, this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: Such as we are, such are the times.”
Augustine asserts that the quality of the times is determined by the moral character of the people, encouraging individuals to live virtuously.
21. “It is no advantage to be near the light if the eyes are closed.”
Proximity to truth is meaningless without the willingness and ability to perceive and accept it, as expressed in this quote.
22. “Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.”
Augustine highlights the restorative power of forgiveness, essential for reconciliation and salvation.
23. “Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.”
This quote emphasizes the necessity of justice, suggesting that acts of charity cannot compensate for systemic injustice.
24. “If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times.”
Similar to another of his quotes, Augustine reiterates the idea that individual goodness collectively creates a better era.
25. “Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.”
Augustine acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining moderation, often finding total abstinence a simpler path to virtue.
26. “The mind commands the body and is instantly obeyed. The mind commands itself and meets resistance.”
This reflection on human nature reveals the inner conflict and struggle for self-mastery, highlighting the challenge of aligning will and action.
27. “People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.”
Again, Augustine urges introspection and the appreciation of the human soul’s depth, often ignored in favor of external exploration.
28. “Love, and do what you like.”
This quote suggests that if one truly loves, their actions will naturally align with goodness, as love inherently guides righteous behavior.
29. “If you understood him, it would not be God.”
Augustine points to the incomprehensibility of God, asserting that a fully understandable deity would not be the true God.
30. “The happy life is joy in the truth.”
True happiness, for Augustine, is found in the joy that comes from knowing and embracing the truth, particularly the truth of God’s love and grace.
Saint Augustine of Hippo’s quotes continue to inspire and challenge readers, offering profound insights into faith, love, and the human condition. His writings encourage deep reflection and a pursuit of divine truth, shaping the spiritual and philosophical discourse for centuries. Through his wisdom, Augustine invites us to explore the mysteries of life, faith, and our own inner selves.
