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Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply that the first, second, and third thing therein is humility.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Humility is the core principle of religion and spirituality.

Saint Augustine emphasizes that humility is fundamental to the practice of religion, suggesting that without a humble attitude, the essence of faith and spirituality may not be truly understood or embraced. This quote highlights humility as a foundational virtue that shapes our interactions with God and with one another.

Themes

HumilityReligionFaithSpiritualityVirtue

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a sermon to emphasize the importance of humility in religious life.

More from Saint Augustine

The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
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There 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.
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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.
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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.
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Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
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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.
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