Born in Northern Africa in 354, St. Augustine of Hippo is considered one of the greatest philosophers of all time. Before he came to Christ, he lived as a dissolute atheist for some years, but the transformation God worked in his life was profound. Following his conversion, he founded a religious order, was ordained as a priest, and became the bishop of Hippo in 395. Over the course of his lifetime, he wrote thousands of works that had an unparalleled impact on both Christian theology and Western philosophy, including, among others, his Confessions and The City of God. Today, his timeless wisdom still speaks to people from all walks of life.
As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Augustine on August 28, we hope you are inspired by 10 of his most insightful quotes on salvation, faith, and the nature of God.
The Glory of Creation
“Even the tiniest insect cannot be considered attentively without astonishment and without praising the Creator.”
“Creation is a great book. Look above you; look below you! Note it; read it! God… didn’t write that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that? Why, Heaven and earth cry out to you, ‘God made me!’”
Our Faith
“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, don’t seek to understand so that you may believe, but believe so that you may understand.”
“If you are to be filled with what is good, then you must pour out what is evil… In truth, we are to be filled with something beyond words: God Himself. We must stretch ourselves out to Him, then, so that when He comes, He may fill us.”
“You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”
The Nature of God
“Who is Lord but our Lord? Or who is God besides our God? Most high, most excellent, most mighty, most omnipotent: most merciful and most just; most hidden and most near; most beautiful and most strong; constant, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, never old; renewing all things, yet bringing old age upon the proud, without their knowing it; always working, yet always at rest; gathering, yet needing nothing; upholding, filling, and protecting; creating, nourishing, and perfecting; still seeking, though You lack nothing. You love, but are not agitated by Your love; You are jealous, yet free from care; You are angry, yet You remain tranquil… Can anyone who speaks of You ever say enough?”
“All my hope is found solely in Your exceeding great mercy. Grant what You command, and command what You will.”
Salvation
“The One who is our very life descended into our world, and bore our death, and slew it with the abundance of His own life. Thundering, He called out to us to return to Him in heaven.”
“We must understand, then, that even though God doesn’t always give us what we want, He gives us what we need for our salvation.”
Love and Joy
“Those who have love are born of God; those who have no love are not born of God. This is the great sign, the great distinction. Possess whatever you want, but if you are lacking this one thing, the rest will be of no value to you.”
Source:
A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints, Dr. Paul Thigpen.
