The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
It’s not in the book or in the writer that readers discern the truth of what they read; they see it in themselves, if the light of truth has penetrated their minds.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Readers find their own truths through reflection rather than through the author's words alone.
Saint Augustine emphasizes that the understanding and truth readers gain from literature are not merely dictated by the text or the author's intent; instead, it is a personal and introspective journey where the reader must engage with the material critically. The 'light of truth' suggests that true comprehension requires inner insight and personal interpretation, highlighting the active role of the reader in the reading process.
Themes
TruthReadingSelf-ReflectionUnderstandingLiterature
In practice
Example use cases
In a book club discussion about the themes in a novel, one might quote Saint Augustine to encourage others to share their personal interpretations.
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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His chains chinked softly. I seldom fling children from towers to improve their health. Yes, I meant for him to die.
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