The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
If I am given a formula, and I am ignorant of its meaning, it cannot teach me anything, but if I already know it what does the formula teach me?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Knowledge is necessary to understand and learn from information presented to us.
This quote by Saint Augustine suggests that the act of learning goes beyond simply receiving information or formulas. To truly learn, one must already have some understanding or context, as mere formulas without comprehension hold little value. It emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge in the learning process and raises questions about the nature of education and understanding.
Themes
KnowledgeLearningUnderstandingEducationWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar about teaching methods, this quote could inspire discussions on the importance of prior knowledge in education.
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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Experience fails to teach where there is no desire to learn.
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