The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
It is not the being seen of men that is wrong, but doing these things for the purpose of being seen of men. The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that the intention behind our actions, not the actions themselves, is what determines their morality.
Saint Augustine highlights the importance of motivation in our actions. While being seen by others is not inherently wrong, acting solely for the sake of public approval reveals a hypocritical nature. True virtue lies in the intention behind our deeds, which ideally should be selfless rather than self-serving.
Themes
MotivationHypocrisyIntentionVirtueAction
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal integrity.
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.
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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.
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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