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God's faithful servant has no desire for people to say or to give to him, or what he likes to hear or see, for his first and greatest aim is to hear what is most pleasing to God.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True servitude to God requires humility and prioritizing His will over seeking human approval.

In this quote, Saint Augustine emphasizes the importance of serving God faithfully and selflessly, without longing for the accolades or approval of others. A true servant focuses on what pleases God rather than seeking validation, aiming instead for spiritual fulfillment and alignment with divine will.

Themes

ServiceHumilityGodFaithApproval

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon about humility, a pastor may quote this to inspire the congregation to focus on serving God rather than seeking human recognition.

More from Saint Augustine

The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
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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.
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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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