The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
Men go forth to wonder at the height of mountains, the huge waves of the sea, the broad flow of the ocean, the course of the stars-and forget to wonder at themselves. Beware of despairing about yourself: you are commanded to put your trust in God, and not in yourself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote encourages self-reflection and reminds us to place our trust in a higher power rather than solely in ourselves.
Saint Augustine emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the tendency of humans to marvel at the grandeur of the world around them while neglecting to appreciate their own significance. He warns against despairing in oneself, advocating instead for a trust in God, suggesting that acknowledgment of one's own worth is as crucial as the awe inspired by the universe.
Themes
Self-ReflectionTrustGodAweWonder
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about self-esteem, one might quote Augustine to highlight the importance of inner trust.
More from Saint Augustine
All quotes →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.
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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