The Confessions of St. Augustine (Paraclete Essentials)

by Augustine of Hippo

“In these behold me, that you may not praise me beyond what I am. Believe what is said of me, not by others, but by myself.”

What good was it to me to have good abilities if I did not employ them to good use?

Amid increasing anxiety I was doing my usual business, and daily sighing to you.

They love the truth when it enlightens, they hate it when it reproves. Since they would not be deceived, yet would deceive, they love it when it reveals itself to them, but hate it when it reveals them to themselves.

Health and pleasure do not have the same limits. What is enough for health is too little for pleasure. And it is often questionable whether it is the necessary care of the body which still asks nourishment, or whether a sensual snare of desire wants to be served. In this uncertainty, my unhappy soul rejoices and prepares in it an excuse to shield itself, glad that it is not clearly apparent what would suffice for the moderation of health, so that under the cloak of health it may conceal the business of pleasure.

Let us approach the words of your Book together and search in them for your meaning through the meaning of your servant by whose pen you have dispensed them.

O Lord God, grant us peace, for you have given us all things. Grant us the peace of quietness, the peace of the Sabbath which has no evening.