The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires humility and a strong foundation.
This quote by Saint Augustine emphasizes the importance of humility as a foundational element for achieving great things. Before one can aspire to greatness, such as building a metaphorical tower to reach the clouds, one must first cultivate a humble beginning, recognizing that true elevation comes from acknowledging one's limitations and starting from a grounded place.
Themes
HumilitySuccessFoundationWisdomAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a motivational talk about the importance of hard work and humility in achieving success.
More from Saint Augustine
All quotes βThere is no health in those who are displeased by an element in Your creation, just as there was none in me when I was displeased by many things You had made. Because my soul didn't dare to say that my God displeased me, it refused to attribute to You whatever was displeasing.
Saint AugustineRead
Bad times, hard times, this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: Such as we are, such are the times.
Saint AugustineRead
Who can map out the various forces at play in one soul? Man is a great depth, O Lord. The hairs of his head are easier by far to count than his feeling, the movements of his heart.
Saint AugustineRead
Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
Saint AugustineRead
Everyone who observes himself doubting observes a truth, and about that which he observes he is certain; therefore he is certain about a truth. Everyone therefore who doubts whether truth exists has in himself a truth on which not to doubt.... Hence one who can doubt at all ought not to doubt the existence of truth.
Saint AugustineRead
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Gratitude opens your heart, and opening your heart is a wonderful and easy way for God to slip in.
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Do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement.
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The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give it the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through concentration.
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