Did you know that St. Augustine wrote thousands of letters, homilies, and other publications over the course of his life? Considered one of the greatest philosophers of all time, St. Augustine of Hippo is remembered not only for his prolific scholarship, but for wisdom borne out of a life radically transformed by God. As we celebrate his memorial on August 28, we hope you are inspired by 10 of his most insightful quotes on knowledge, joy, trusting in God, and more!
On Trusting in God
“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”
“God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”
On Knowledge, Belief, and Character
“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, don’t seek to understand so that you may believe, but believe so that you may understand.”
“It matters not as much how much you know, but how much you love.”
“Let us, you and I, lay aside all arrogance. Let neither of us pretend to have found the truth. Let us seek it as something unknown to both of us. Then we may seek it with love and sincerity, when neither of us has the rashness or presumption to believe that we already possess it.”
“In order to discover the character of a people, we have only to observe what they love.”
On Joy, Patience, and Peace
“Peace… is the tranquility of order.”
“When many men rejoice together, there is a richer joy in each individual.”
“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
“Every illness of the soul finds its medicine in the Scriptures.”
Sources:
“15 Feast Day Quotes from the Doctor of Grace, St. Augustine,” Denver Catholic.
A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints, Paul Thigpen.
“Saint Augustine Quotes,” St. Augustine’s College.