Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Augustine of Hippo (Roman-African Christian Philosopher)

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430) was a Christian philosopher and theologian. This bishop of the City of Hippo was an important figure in the evolution of pagan attitudes into Christian philosophy.

Born in Tagaste in the Roman province of Numidia in North Africa, now Algeria, to a pagan father and a Christian mother, Augustine converted to Christianity at the age of 31 under the influence of Bishop Ambrose of Milan. Augustine desired a quiet life of philosophizing about theology and writing books. However, when he moved to the port town of Hippo to establish a monastery, he was required to take over the duties of the local bishop. He regretted that he had to spend much time delivering sermons and running a parish instead of writing.

Saint Augustine is known today for his two major works, The Confessions (397–400 CE,) and The City of God (426 CE,) the latter written after the fall of Rome to the Barbarians in 410 CE. In The Confessions, one of the first memoirs of Western literature, Augustine scrutinized his earlier life—the sins he had committed—crying over a fictional character in a poem, stealing pears from a neighbor’s tree, sexual fantasies and exploits, long relationship with a concubine, and so forth. His meditations on his emotional development and the growth of his soul in the context of his own pagan experience are often seen as an argument for Roman Catholicism.

Saint Augustine is also remembered for his philosophies about the notion of original sin—he asserted that all humans are born sinful because they are descended from Adam and Eve, who committed the first sin.

Soon after his death of Augustine, the City of Hippo was destroyed by Vandals. Augustine’s library survived, and all his ideas about resisting pagan influences became church doctrine. His urging that all Christian churches follow the central church in Rome was responsible for preventing the Christian faith from breaking up into separate churches during the medieval period.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Augustine of Hippo

A good conscience is the palace of Christ; the temple of the Holy Ghost; the paradise of delight; the standing Sabbath of the saints.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Conscience

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Courage, Honesty

No eulogy is due to him who simply does his duty and nothing more.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Duty

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 of Hippo
Topics: Time, Time Management

Suspicion is the poison of true friendship.
—Augustine of Hippo

The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Desires, Desire

The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Humility, Merit

Humble wedlock is far better than proud virginity.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Marriage

Wouldst thou have thy flesh obey thy spirit? Then let thy spirit obey thy God. Thou must be governed, that thou may’st govern.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Self-Control

Punishment is justice for the unjust.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Punishment

Grant what thou commandest and then command what thou wilt.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Bravery, Courage

No one hates his body.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Body

He who is filled with love is filled with God himself.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Love

Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Accomplishment

There is one case of death-bed repentance recorded, that of the penitent thief, that none should despair; and only one that none should presume.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Repentance

Do you wish to rise?. Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?. Lay first the foundation of humility.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Leaders, Leadership, Humility

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe, that thou mayest understand.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Faith, Understanding, Belief

People travel to wonder at the height 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 motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Reflection, People, Self-Discovery, Wonder, Journeys

Be displeased with what thou art, if thou desirest to attain to what thou art not; for where thou hast pleased thyself, there thou abidest, and if thou sayest I have enough, thou perishest.
—Augustine of Hippo

What I needed most was to love and to be loved, eager to be caught. Happily I wrapped those painful bonds around me; and sure enough, I would be lashed with the red-hot pokers or jealousy, by suspicions and fear, by burst of anger and quarrels.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Love, Feelings

God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Trials, Adversity

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Charity

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Cheerfulness

It is the function of perfection to make one know one’s imperfection.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Perfection

The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only a page.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Travel

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Government, Absence

In as much as love grows in you,
so in you beauty grows.
For love
is the beauty of the soul.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Love, Feelings

What you are must always displease you, if you would attain to that which you are not.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Motivation, Life

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Wisdom, Patience

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
—Augustine of Hippo
Topics: Moderation

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