The Confessions; The City of God; On Christian Doctrine

Top Highlights

“This clearly shows that we learn better in a free spirit of curiosity than under fear and compulsion.” (Page 8)

“I did not know that evil is nothing but the removal of good until finally no good remains.” (Page 20)

“Accordingly, two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God: the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.” (Page 455)

“For it is better for them to find you and leave the question unanswered than to find the answer without finding you.” (Page 4)

“O Lord, far be it from the heart of your servant who confesses to you, far be it from me to think that whatever joy I feel makes me truly happy. For there is a joy that is not given to those who do not love you, but only to those who love you for your own sake. You yourself are their joy. Happiness is to rejoice in you and for you and because of you. This is true happiness and there is no other. Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, but theirs is not true joy. Yet their minds are set upon something akin to joy.” (Page 100)