Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Augustine Quote (The Episcopate)

"'He that desireth the episcopate desireth a good work.' The episcopate is the title of a work, not of an honour. He that loves to govern rather than to do good is no bishop. It is unseemly to covet the high position requisite for governing the people, even though that position be held and that government be administered in a seemly manner" (Augustine The City of God Bk. 19:19).

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Miserable Counselors

I find that most religious people are all too eager to help one along in afflictions where sin is the topic of concern. But it is quite mysterious to me that they are not the least bit interested in having the favor returned.

Truly it takes a keen eye to see dust in another eye, especially from afar off, when that self same kindred optical organ plays host to a log itself!

But a gracious soul takes what one can get.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Augustine Quote (Righteousness)

"Our very righteousness, too, though true in so far as it has respect to the true good, is yet in this life of such a kind that it consists rather in the remission of sins than in the perfecting of virtues" (Augustine City of God Book 19:27).

Monday, February 7, 2011

Augustine Quote (Peace)

"The peace which is peculiar to ourselves we enjoy with God by faith, and shall hereafter enjoy eternally with Him by sight. But the peace which we enjoy is in this life, whether common to all or peculiar to ourselves, is rather the solace of our misery than the positive enjoyment of felicity (Augustine City of God Book 19:27).