124 Quotes by Augustine of Hippo

If a man is drawn, says an objector, he comes against his will. [We answer] If he comes unwillingly, he does not believe: if he does not believe, he does not come. For we do not run to Christ on our feet but by faith; not with the movement of the body, but with the freewill of the heart. Think not that thou art drawn against thy will: the mind can be drawn by love.

We have wandered far from God; and if we wish to return to our Father's home, this world must be used, not enjoyed, that so the invisible things of God may be clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,—that is, that by means of what is material and temporary we may lay hold upon that which is spiritual and eternal.

There could be nothing more fortunate for human affairs than that by the mercy of God they who are endowed with true piety of life if they have the skill for ruling people should also have the power.

We are inflamed, by Thy Gift we are kindled; and are carried upwards; we glow inwardly, and go forwards. We ascend Thy ways that be in our heart, and sing a song of degrees; we glow inwardly with Thy fire, with Thy good fire, and we go; because we go upwards to the peace of Jerusalem: for gladdened was I in those who said unto me, We will go up to the house of the Lord. There hath Thy good pleasure placed us, that we may desire nothing else, but to abide there for ever.

Every good man resists others in those points in which he resists himself.

Give, O Lord, what Thou commandest, and then command what Thou wilt.

Era yo pues bien miserable; que por fuerza lo es el alma que vive presa en la amistad de las cosas mortales y se desgarra cuando las pierde. Lloraba con inmensa amargura, pero en la amargura misma encontraba descanso. Y tan miserable era, que más aún que a mi dilecto amigo muerto amaba yo mi propia mísera vida; pues aunque hubiera querido cambiar la condición de mi vida, no quería perderla como lo perdí a él. Ni siquiera sé si de veras estaba dispuesto a perderla por él.

Dichoso el que te ama a ti, y a su amigo en ti, y a su enemigo en ti; pues el único que no pierde a sus seres queridos es el que los quiere y los tiene en Aquel que no se pierde. ¡Oh Dios de las virtudes, conviértenos a ti, muéstranos tu rostro, y seremos salvos! (Sal 79,4) Porque adondequiera que se vuelva el alma del hombre fuera de ti, queda inmóvil en el dolor, aunque se detenga en cosas bellas fuera de ti y fuera de él mismo, cosas que sin ti nada serían.

He who lives according to God ought to cherish towards evil men a perfect hatred, so that he shall neither hate the man because of his vice nor love the vice because of the man.