Category Archives: Augustine of Hippo

Pride Goes Before Destruction

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“Pride goeth before destruction and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (Douay-Rheims) Pride (superbia) was the foundation of all sin in medieval piety and theology.  A concept well-established on the Bible and the Church Fathers, pride … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, medieval, pride | 1 Comment

Augustine on Just War

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“What is the evil of war? Is it the death of some who will soon die in any case, that others may live in peaceful subjection? This is merely cowardly dislike, not any religious feeling.  The real evils in war … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, virtue, war | 4 Comments

Grant What You Command

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“My entire hope is exclusively in your very great mercy.  Grant what you command, and command what you will.  You require continence.  A certain writer has said (Wisd. 8. 21): ‘As I knew that no one can be continent except … Continue reading →

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Augustine on the Use of Symbols

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“But, all those truths which are presented to us in figures tend, in some manner, to nourish and arouse that flame of love by the impulse of which we are carried upward and inward toward rest, and they stir and … Continue reading →

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Augustine on the Use of History

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Whatever the subject called history reveals about the sequence of past events is of the greatest assistance in interpreting the holy books, even if learnt outside the church as part of primary education.” Augustine of Hippo, On Christian Teaching II. XXVll., trans. … Continue reading →

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Martin Luther, Augustine and the Languages

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“And, further, if I could bring it to pass among you, I should like to ask that you do not neglect the languages but, since it would not be difficult for you, that you have your preachers and some of … Continue reading →

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Augustine’s Conversion: A Severe Mercy

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Such was my sickness and my torture, as I accused myself even more bitterly than usual.  I was twisting and turning in my chain until it would break completely.  I was now only a little bit held by it, but … Continue reading →

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Augustine’s Sin and the Struggle of Wills

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“The enemy had a grip on my will and so made a chain for me to hold me a prisoner.  The consequence of a distorted will is passion.  By servitude to passion, habit is formed, and habit to which there … Continue reading →

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Augustine on Learning and the Human Teacher

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“My argument is with Christians who congratulate themselves on a knowledge of the holy scriptures gained without any human guidance and who–if their claim is valid–thus enjoy a real and substantial blessing.  But they must admit that each one of … Continue reading →

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The Miseries of the Republic

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Sallust has given a brief sketch of the miseries of the republic in that long period, in all the years down to the Second Punic War, troubled by incessant wars abroad, and at home by continued civil strife and disharmony. … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Rome, Sallust | Leave a comment