I’m a true-blue Augustinian, having attended Augustinian schools from kindergarten to college. Since August is the feast month of St. Augustine, I thought of compiling some quotes from this saint I grew up knowing.
Fun Facts About St. Augustine
Here are some interesting facts about St. Augustine of Hippo, a significant figure in Christian theology and one of the most influential figures in Christianity.
- Wild Youth: Augustine lived a hedonistic lifestyle before becoming a saint, indulging in worldly pleasures. He even described himself as a “slave to lust.”
- “Make Me Chaste, But Not Yet”: This famous line from his “Confessions” highlights Augustine’s inner conflict. He desired virtue but wasn’t quite ready to give up his pleasures just yet.
- Philosopher Saint Augustine was a theologian and a brilliant philosopher. His writings, especially “City of God” and “Confessions,” have had a lasting influence on Western thought.
- Manichaeism: Before converting to Christianity, Augustine followed Manichaeism, a dualistic religion that viewed the world as a struggle between good and evil forces.
- Mother’s Influence: His mother, St. Monica, was a devout Christian who prayed for his conversion for many years. Her persistence is considered pivotal in his spiritual journey.
- Late Bloomer: Augustine didn’t convert to Christianity until he was 31. His baptism by St. Ambrose took place on Easter Vigil in 387 AD.
- Bishop of Hippo: After his conversion, Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo (in modern-day Algeria) and served for over 30 years, profoundly shaping the early Christian Church.
- “Confessions”—The First Autobiography? Many consider Augustine’s Confessions to be the first Western autobiography in which he reflects on his life, sins, and conversion.
- Patron Saint of Brewers: Interestingly, Augustine is the patron saint of brewers due to his transformation from a wayward youth to a faithful Christian, symbolizing moral regeneration.
- Hippo Siege: Augustine died in 430 AD during the Vandals’ siege of Hippo. His death came shortly before the city fell, but his legacy lived on.
St. Augustine’s Quotes
“There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.”
“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”
“The punishment of every disordered mind is its own disorder.”
“The Bible was composed in such a way that as beginners mature, its meaning grows with them.”
“Life is a misery, death an uncertainty.”
“And men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the mystery of themselves without a thought.”
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”
“He that is jealous is not in love.”
“If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept because you will gain one friend.”
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”
“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 is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.”
“Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.”
“The greatest evil is physical pain.”
“God is best known in not knowing Him.”
“Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.”
“Love, and do what you like.”
“The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.”
“He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.”
“He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king.”
“Repentant tears wash out the stain of guilt.”
“The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences.”
Which of these quotes from St. Augustin resonated with you? Do you have a favorite saint?
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4 comments
I have a couple of friends who went to the Augustinian seminary in Holland, Michigan for a while. I never really knew much about the saint; these are beautiful quotes.
ReplyDeletesheer wisdom..thanks for sharing!:)
ReplyDeletemy pleasure.:)
DeleteAmazing Bubba! Reallly Amazing!! Aswear eh!!! You Blew my mind away with this ghen ghen post of life! Choi!! Aswear You did.. This is like my Best read yet on here!! yyyyaaayy!! Its frigging full of Wisdom.. Thanks for sharing Luxxy of Destiny..
ReplyDelete"He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent" Deep Bubba! Really True!!! aYamm all smiles right now.. It was a really fun read Nne. xx How is my Luxxy doing?!