The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
Two loves have made two different cities: self-love hath made a terrestrial city, which rises in contempt of God; and Divine Love hath made a celestial one, which rises in contempt of self. The former glories in itself - the latter in God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts self-love and divine love, highlighting their influence on human society.
Saint Augustine's quote suggests that self-love leads to a worldly, materialistic existence that ultimately turns away from God, while divine love fosters a spiritual, heavenly realm that transcends selfishness. He emphasizes that true glory lies not in oneself but in the divine, warning against the dangers of self-centeredness.
Themes
Self-LoveDivine LoveCitiesContemptGlory
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, to highlight the difference between selfishness and altruism.
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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