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Every day my conscience makes confession relying on the hope of Your mercy as more to be trusted than its own innocence.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes reliance on divine mercy over personal righteousness.

In this quote by Saint Augustine, he reflects on the human condition and the nature of conscience. He suggests that rather than relying solely on our own sense of innocence or righteousness, we should place our trust in God's mercy, recognizing that our moral judgments are often flawed. This speaks to the humility required in understanding our own limitations and the importance of faith in something greater than ourselves.

Themes

ConscienceMercyInnocenceTrustFaith

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon discussing moral integrity and forgiveness.

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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.
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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.
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