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Full Title
The confessions of S. Augustine: in ten books.
Author
Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo. Woodroffe, Paul, ill. Housman, Clemence, ill. Housman, Lawrence. Chivers, Cedric, Book designer.
Date Added
10 January 2014
Language
English
Publish Date
1900
Publisher
London : Kegan Paul, Trench Trübner & Co. Ltd.
Source
Contributions from Augustinian Theologians and Scholars
Topic
Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo. Catholic Church > Algeria > Hippo (Extinct city) > Bishops > Biography. Christian saints > Algeria > Hippo (Extinct city) > Biography. Hippo (Extinct city) > Biography.
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OCR
which decayeth; nay, nor even that false and
shadowy beauty, which belongeth to deceiving
vices.
For so doth pride imitate exaltedness; whereas
Thou Alone art God exalted over all. Ambition,
what seeks it, but honours and glory ? whereas Thou
Alone art to be honoured above all, and glorious for
evermore. The cruelty of the great would fain be
feared; but who is to be feared but God alone, out
of whose power what can be wrested or withdrawn ?
when, or where, or whither, or by whom? The ten-
dernesses of the wanton would fain be counted love:
yet is nothing more tender than Thy charity; nor is
aught loved more healthfully than that Thy truth,
bright and beautiful above all.. Curiosity makes
semblance of a desire of knowledge; whereas Thou
supremely knowest all. Yea, ignorance and foolish-
ness itself is cloked under the name of simplicity
and uninjuriousness ; because nothing is found more
single than Thee: and what less injurious, since they
are his own works, which injure the sinner? Yea,
sloth would fain be at rest; but what stable rest be-
sides the Lord? Luxury affects to be called plenty
and abundance; but Thou art the fulness and never-
failing plenteousness of incorruptible pleasures.
Prodigality presents a shadow of liberality: but
Thou art the most overflowing Giver of all good.
Covetousness would possess many things: and Thou
possessest all things. Envy disputes for excellency:
what more excellent than Thou? Anger seeks re-
venge: who revenges more justly than Thou? Fear
startles at things unwonted or sudden, which en-
danger things beloved, and takes forethought for
their safety; but to Thee what unwonted or sudden,
or who separateth from Thee what Thou lovest ?
(Rom. viii. 9). Or where but with Thee is unshaken
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