The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
A Christian man is on his guard with respect to those who philosophize according to the elements of this world, not according to God, by Whom the world itself was made; for he is warned by the precept of the apostle and faithfully hears what has been said, 'Beware that no one deceive you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the elements of the world'
Interpretation
What this quote means
Saint Augustine warns Christians to be cautious of worldly philosophies that deviate from divine truth.
In this quote, Saint Augustine emphasizes the importance of aligning one's beliefs and understanding with the teachings of God, rather than being swayed by worldly philosophies that lack spiritual depth. He cautions Christians that many philosophies can lead them astray through empty deceit, drawing attention to the need for discernment in one's intellectual pursuits and beliefs.
Themes
PhilosophyDeceptionFaithDiscernmentWorldly Wisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about morality, this quote can remind participants to seek truth rooted in faith rather than popular opinion.
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
Similar quotes
Search men's governing principles, and consider the wise, what they shun and what they cleave to.
Marcus AureliusRead
In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.
Edmund BurkeRead
Poland is not East or West. Poland is at the center of European civilization. It has contributed mightily to that civilization. It is doing so today by being magnificently unreconciled to oppression.
Ronald ReaganRead
At no point in history have so many non-risk-takers, that is, those with no personal exposure, exerted so much control.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die. I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me. Why should it keep what I must lose? Every moment that passes takes something from me and gives something to it. Oh, if it were only the other way! If the picture could change, and I could be always what I am now! Why did you paint it? It will mock me some day—mock me horribly!
Oscar WildeRead
We go along, without a fixed itinerary, yet at the same time with an end (what end?) in mind, and with the aim of reaching the end. A search for the end, a dread of the end: the obverse and the reverse of the same act.
Octavio PazRead