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The Confessions Of Saint Augustine

The Confessions Of Saint Augustine

By St. Augustine

Title Page
Chapter I Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised
Chapter II And how shall I call upon my God, my God and Lord
Chapter III Do the heaven and earth then contain Thee, since Thou fillest them? or dost Thou
Chapter IV What art Thou then, my God? what, but the Lord God? For who is Lord
Chapter V Oh! that I might repose on Thee! Oh! that Thou wouldest enter into my heart
Chapter VI Yet suffer me to speak unto Thy mercy, me
Chapter VII Hear, O God.
Chapter VIII Passing hence from infancy, I came to boyhood, or rather it came to me
Chapter IX O God my God, what miseries and mockeries did I now experience
Chapter X And yet, I sinned herein, O Lord God, the Creator and Disposer of all things
Chapter XI As a boy, then, I had already heard of an eternal life
Chapter XII In boyhood itself, however so much less dreaded for me than youth
Chapter XIII But why did I so much hate the Greek
Chapter XIV Why then did I hate the Greek classics, which have the like tales? For Homer
Chapter XV Hear, Lord, my prayer; let not my soul faint under Thy discipline
Chapter XVI But woe is thee, thou torrent of human custom! Who shall stand against thee? how
Chapter XVII Bear with me, my God, while I say somewhat of my wit
Chapter XVIII But what marvel that I was thus carried away to vanities
Chapter I I will now call to mind my past foulness
Chapter II And what was it that I delighted in, but to love
Chapter III For that year were my studies intermitted: whilst after my return from Madaura a neighbour
Chapter IV Theft is punished by Thy law, O Lord, and the law written in the hearts
Chapter V For there is an attractiveness in beautiful bodies, in gold and silver
Chapter VI What then did wretched I so love in thee
Chapter VII What shall I render unto the Lord, that, whilst my memory recalls these things
Chapter VIII What fruit had I then wretched man! in those things
Chapter IX What then was this feeling? For of a truth it was too foul
Chapter X Who can disentangle that twisted and intricate knottiness? Foul is it
Chapter I To Carthage I came, where there sang all around me in my ears a cauldron
Chapter II Why is it, that man desires to be made sad
Chapter III And Thy faithful mercy hovered over me afar.
Chapter IV Among such as these, in that unsettled age of mine
Chapter V I resolved then to bend my mind to the holy Scriptures
Chapter VI Therefore I fell among men proudly doting, exceeding carnal and prating
Chapter VII For other than this, that which really is I knew not
Chapter VIII Can it at any time or place be unjust to love God with all his
Chapter IX Amidst these offences of foulness and violence, and so many iniquities
Chapter X These things I being ignorant of, scoffed at those Thy holy servants and prophets.
Chapter XI And Thou sentest Thine hand from above, and drewest my soul out of that profound
Chapter XII Thou gavest her meantime another answer, which I call to mind
Chapter I For this space of nine years from my nineteenth year to my eight-and-twentieth we lived
Chapter II In those years I taught rhetoric, and, overcome by cupidity
Chapter III Those impostors then, whom they style Mathematicians, I consulted without scruple
Chapter IV In those years when I first began to teach rhetoric in my native town
Chapter V And now, Lord, these things are passed by, and time hath assuaged my wound.
Chapter VI But what speak I of these things? for now is no time to question
Chapter VII O madness, which knowest not how to love men
Chapter VIII Times lose no time; nor do they roll idly by
Chapter IX This is it that is loved in friends; and so loved
Chapter X Turn us, O God of Hosts, show us Thy countenance
Chapter XI Be not foolish, O my soul, nor become deaf in the ear of thine heart
Chapter XII If bodies please thee, praise God on occasion of them
Chapter XIII These things I then knew not, and I loved these lower beauties
Chapter XIV But what moved me, O Lord my God, to dedicate these books unto Hierius
Chapter XV But I saw not yet, whereon this weighty matter turned in Thy wisdom
Chapter XVI And what did it profit me, that scarce twenty years old
Chapter I Accept the sacrifice of my confessions from the ministry of my tongue
Chapter II Let the restless, the godless, depart and flee from Thee
Chapter III I would lay open before my God that nine-and-twentieth year of mine age.
Chapter IV Doth then, O Lord God of truth, whoso knoweth these things
Chapter V But yet who bade that Manichaeus write on these things also
Chapter VI And for almost all those nine years, wherein with unsettled mind I had been their
Chapter VII For after it was clear that he was ignorant of those arts in which I
Chapter VIII Thou didst deal with me, that I should be persuaded to go to Rome
Chapter IX And lo, there was I received by the scourge of bodily sickness
Chapter X Thou recoveredst me then of that sickness, and healedst the son of Thy handmaid
Chapter XI Furthermore, what the Manichees had criticised in Thy Scriptures
Chapter XII I began then diligently to practise that for which I came to Rome
Chapter XIII When therefore they of Milan had sent to Rome to the prefect of the city
Chapter XIV For though I took no pains to learn what he spake
Chapter I O Thou, my hope from my youth, where wert Thou to me
Chapter II When then my mother had once, as she was wont in Afric
Chapter III Nor did I yet groan in my prayers, that Thou wouldest help me
Chapter IV Ignorant then how this Thy image should subsist, I should have knocked and proposed the
Chapter V Being led, however, from this to prefer the Catholic doctrine
Chapter VI-- I panted after honours, gains, marriage; and Thou deridedst me.
Chapter VII These things we, who were living as friends together
Chapter VIII He, not forsaking that secular course which his parents had charmed him to pursue
Chapter IX But this was already being laid up in his memory to be a medicine hereafter.
Chapter X Him then I had found at Rome, and he clave to me by a most
Chapter XI And I, viewing and reviewing things, most wondered at the length of time from that
Chapter XII Alypius indeed kept me from marrying; alleging that so could we by no means with
Chapter XIII Continual effort was made to have me married.
Chapter XIV And many of us friends conferring about, and detesting the turbulent turmoils of human life
Chapter XV Meanwhile my sins were being multiplied, and my concubine being torn from my side as
Chapter XVI To Thee be praise, glory to Thee, Fountain of mercies.
Chapter I Deceased was now that my evil and abominable youth
Chapter II It was enough for me, Lord, to oppose to those deceived deceivers
Chapter III But I also as yet, although I held and was firmly persuaded that Thou our
Chapter IV For I was in such wise striving to find out the rest
Chapter V And I sought |whence is evil,| and sought in an evil way
Chapter VI But this time also had I rejected the lying divinations and impious dotages of the
Chapter VII Now then, O my Helper, hadst Thou loosed me from those fetters
Chapter VIII But Thou, Lord, abidest for ever, yet not for ever art Thou angry with us
Chapter IX And Thou, willing first to show me how Thou resistest the proud
Chapter X And being thence admonished to return to myself, I entered even into my inward self
Chapter XI And I viewed the other things below Thee, and perceived that they neither altogether are
Chapter XII And it was manifested unto me, that those things be good which yet are corrupted
Chapter XIII And to Thee is nothing whatsoever evil: yea, not only to Thee
Chapter XIV There is no soundness in them, whom aught of Thy creation displeaseth
Chapter XV And I looked back on other things; and I saw that they owed their being
Chapter XVI And I perceived and found it nothing strange, that bread which is pleasant to a
Chapter XVII And I wondered that I now loved Thee, and no phantasm for Thee.
Chapter XVIII Then I sought a way of obtaining strength sufficient to enjoy Thee
Chapter XIX But I thought otherwise; conceiving only of my Lord Christ as of a man of
Chapter XX But having then read those books of the Platonists
Chapter XXI Most eagerly then did I seize that venerable writing of Thy Spirit
Chapter I O my God, let me, with thanksgiving, remember, and confess unto Thee Thy mercies on
Chapter II To Simplicianus then I went, the father of Ambrose a Bishop now in receiving Thy
Chapter III Good God! what takes place in man, that he should more rejoice at the salvation
Chapter IV Up, Lord, and do; stir us up, and recall us
Chapter V But when that man of Thine, Simplicianus, related to me this of Victorinus
Chapter VI And how Thou didst deliver me out of the bonds of desire
Chapter VII Such was the story of Pontitianus; but Thou, O Lord
Chapter VIII Then in this great contention of my inward dwelling
Chapter IX Whence is this monstrousness? and to what end? Let Thy mercy gleam that I may
Chapter X Let them perish from Thy presence, O God, as perish vain talkers and seducers of
Chapter XI Thus soul-sick was I, and tormented, accusing myself much more severely than my wont
Chapter XII But when a deep consideration had from the secret bottom of my soul drawn together
Chapter I O Lord, I am Thy servant; I am Thy servant
Chapter II And I resolved in Thy sight, not tumultuously to tear
Chapter III Verecundus was worn down with care about this our blessedness
Chapter IV Now was the day come wherein I was in deed to be freed of my
Chapter V The vintage-vacation ended, I gave notice to the Milanese to provide their scholars with another
Chapter VI Thence, when the time was come wherein I was to give in my name
Chapter VII Not long had the Church of Milan begun to use this kind of consolation and
Chapter VIII Thou that makest men to dwell of one mind in one house
Chapter IX Brought up thus modestly and soberly, and made subject rather by Thee to her parents
Chapter X The day now approaching whereon she was to depart this life which day Thou well
Chapter XI What answer I made her unto these things, I remember not.
Chapter XII I closed her eyes; and there flowed withal a mighty sorrow into my heart
Chapter XIII But now, with a heart cured of that wound
Chapter I Let me know Thee, O Lord, who knowest me
Chapter II And from Thee, O Lord, unto whose eyes the abyss of man's conscience is naked
Chapter III What then have I to do with men, that they should hear my confessions --
Chapter IV But for what fruit would they hear this? Do they desire to joy with me
Chapter V For Thou, Lord, dost judge me: because, although no man knoweth the things of a
Chapter VI Not with doubting, but with assured consciousness, do I love Thee
Chapter VII What then do I love, when I love my God? who is He above the
Chapter VIII I will pass then beyond this power of my nature also
Chapter IX Yet not these alone does the unmeasurable capacity of my memory retain.
Chapter X But now when I hear that there be three kinds of questions
Chapter XI Wherefore we find, that to learn these things whereof we imbibe nor the images by
Chapter XII The memory containeth also reasons and laws innumerable of numbers and dimensions
Chapter XIII All these things I remember, and how I learnt them I remember.
Chapter XIV The same memory contains also the affections of my mind
Chapter XV But whether by images or no, who can readily say? Thus
Chapter XVI What, when I name forgetfulness, and withal recognise what I name? whence should I recognise
Chapter XVII Great is the power of memory, a fearful thing
Chapter XVIII For the woman that had lost her groat, and sought it with a light
Chapter XIX But what when the memory itself loses any thing
Chapter XX How then do I seek Thee, O Lord? For when I seek Thee
Chapter XXi But is it so, as one remembers Carthage who hath seen it? No.
Chapter XXII Far be it, Lord, far be it from the heart of Thy servant who here
Chapter XXIII It is not certain then that all wish to be happy
Chapter XXIV See what a space I have gone over in my memory seeking Thee
Chapter XXV But where in my memory residest Thou, O Lord
Chapter XXVI Where then did I find Thee, that I might learn Thee? For in my memory
Chapter XXVII Too late loved I Thee, O Thou Beauty of ancient days
Chapter XXVIII When I shall with my whole self cleave to Thee
Chapter XXIX And all my hope is no where but in Thy exceeding great mercy.
Chapter XXX Verily Thou enjoinest me continency from the lust of the flesh
Chapter XXXI There is another evil of the day, which I would were sufficient for it.
Chapter XXXII With the allurements of smells, I am not much concerned.
Chapter XXXIII The delights of the ear had more firmly entangled and subdued me
Chapter XXXIV There remains the pleasure of these eyes of my flesh
Chapter XXXV To this is added another form of temptation more manifoldly dangerous.
Chapter XXXVI And Thou knowest how far Thou hast already changed me
Chapter XXXVII By these temptations we are assailed daily, O Lord
Chapter XXXVIII Yet the word which cometh out of the mouth
Chapter XXXIX Within also, within is another evil, arising out of a like temptation
Chapter XL Where hast Thou not walked with me, O Truth
Chapter XLI Thus then have I considered the sicknesses of my sins in that threefold concupiscence
Chapter XLII Whom could I find to reconcile me to Thee? was I to have recourse to
Chapter XLIII But the TRUE Mediator, Whom in Thy secret mercy Thou hast showed to the humble
Chapter I Lord, since eternity is Thine, art Thou ignorant of what I say to Thee? or
Chapter II But how shall I suffice with the tongue of my pen to utter all Thy
Chapter III I would hear and understand, how |In the Beginning Thou madest the heaven and earth.
Chapter IV Behold, the heavens and the earth are; they proclaim that they were created
Chapter V But how didst Thou make the heaven and the earth? and what the engine of
Chapter VI But how didst Thou speak? In the way that the voice came out of the
Chapter VII Thou callest us then to understand the Word, God
Chapter VIII Why, I beseech Thee, O Lord my God? I see it in a way
Chapter IX In this Beginning, O God, hast Thou made heaven and earth
Chapter X Lo, are they not full of their old leaven
Chapter XI Who speak thus, do not yet understand Thee, O Wisdom of God
Chapter XII See, I answer him that asketh, |What did God before He made heaven and earth?|
Chapter XIII But if any excursive brain rove over the images of forepassed times
Chapter XIV At no time then hadst Thou not made any thing
Chapter XV And yet we say, |a long time| and |a short time|
Chapter XVI And yet, Lord, we perceive intervals of times, and compare them
Chapter XVII I ask, Father, I affirm not: O my God
Chapter XVIII Permit me, Lord, to seek further.
Chapter XIX Thou then, Ruler of Thy creation, by what way dost Thou teach souls things to
Chapter XX What now is clear and plain is, that neither things to come nor past are.
Chapter XXI I said then even now, we measure times as they pass
Chapter XXII My soul is on fire to know this most intricate enigma.
Chapter XXIII I heard once from a learned man, that the motions of the sun
Chapter XXIV Dost Thou bid me assent, if any define time to be |motion of a body?|
Chapter XXV And I confess to Thee, O Lord, that I yet know not what time is
Chapter XXVI Does not my soul most truly confess unto Thee
Chapter XXVII Courage, my mind, and press on mightily.
Chapter XXVIII But how is that future diminished or consumed, which as yet is not? or how
Chapter XXIX But because Thy loving-kindness is better than all lives
Chapter XXX And now will I stand, and become firm in Thee
Chapter XXXI O Lord my God, what a depth is that recess of Thy mysteries
Chapter I My heart, O Lord, touched with the words of Thy Holy Scripture
Chapter II The lowliness of my tongue confesseth unto Thy Highness
Chapter III And now this earth was invisible and without form
Chapter IV How then should it be called, that it might be in some measure conveyed to
Chapter V So that when thought seeketh what the sense may conceive under this
Chapter VI But I, Lord, if I would, by my tongue and my pen
Chapter VII But whence had it this degree of being, but from Thee
Chapter VIII But that heaven of heavens was for Thyself, O Lord
Chapter IX And therefore the Spirit, the Teacher of Thy servant
Chapter X O let the Light, the Truth, the Light of my heart
Chapter Xi Already Thou hast told me with a strong voice
Chapter XII These things considered, as much as Thou givest, O my God
Chapter XIII This then is what I conceive, O my God
Chapter XIV Wondrous depth of Thy words! whose surface, behold! is before us
Chapter XV |Will you affirm that to be false, which with a strong voice Truth tells me
Chapter XVI With these I now parley a little in Thy presence
Chapter XVII For they say, |Though these things be true, yet did not Moses intend those two
Chapter XVIII All which things being heard and well considered, I will not strive about words
Chapter XIX For TRUE it is, O Lord, that Thou madest heaven and earth
Chapter XX Out of these truths, of which they doubt not whose inward eye Thou hast enabled
Chapter XXI And with regard to the understanding of the words following
Chapter XXII For should any attempt to dispute against these two last opinions
Chapter XXIII These things then being heard and perceived, according to the weakness of my capacity which
Chapter XXIV But which of us shall, among those so many truths
Chapter XXV Let no man harass me then, by saying, Moses thought not as you say
Chapter XXVI And yet I, O my God, Thou lifter up of my humility
Chapter XXVII For as a fountain within a narrow compass, is more plentiful
Chapter XXVIII But others, unto whom these words are no longer a nest
Chapter XXIX But he that no otherwise understands In the Beginning He made
Chapter XXX In this diversity of the TRUE opinions, let Truth herself produce concord.
Chapter XXXI So when one says, |Moses meant as I do|
Chapter XXXII Lastly, O Lord, who art God and not flesh and blood
Chapter I I call upon Thee, O my God, my mercy
Chapter II For of the fulness of Thy goodness, doth Thy creature subsist
Chapter III That which Thou saidst in the beginning of the creation
Chapter IV What then could he wanting unto Thy good, which Thou Thyself art
Chapter V Lo, now the Trinity appears unto me in a glass darkly
Chapter VI But what was the cause, O true-speaking Light? -- unto Thee lift I up my
Chapter VII Hence let him that is able, follow with his understanding Thy Apostle
Chapter VIII Angels fell away, man's soul fell away, and thereby pointed the abyss in that dark
Chapter IX But was not either the Father, or the Son
Chapter X Blessed creature, which being itself other than Thou, has known no other condition
Chapter XI Which of us comprehendeth the Almighty Trinity? and yet which speaks not of It
Chapter XII Proceed in thy confession, say to the Lord thy God
Chapter XIII But as yet by faith and not by sight
Chapter XIV Behold, I too say, O my God, Where art Thou? see
Chapter XV Or who, except Thou, our God, made for us that firmament of authority over us
Chapter XVI For altogether, as Thou art, Thou only knowest; Who art unchangeably
Chapter XVII Who gathered the embittered together into one society? For they have all one end
Chapter XVIII So, Lord, so, I beseech Thee, let there spring up
Chapter XIX But first, wash you, be clean; put away evil from your souls
Chapter XX Let the sea also conceive and bring forth your works
Chapter XXI And hereby, in Thy Word, not the deepness of the sea
Chapter XXII For behold, O Lord, our God, our Creator, when our affections have been restrained from
Chapter XXIII But that he judgeth all things, this answers to his having dominion over the fish
Chapter XXIV But what is this, and what kind of mystery? Behold
Chapter XXV I would also say, O Lord my God, what the following Scripture minds me of
Chapter XXVI But they are fed by these fruits, that are delighted with them
Chapter XXVII I will then speak what is TRUE in Thy sight
Chapter XXVIII And Thou, O God, sawest every thing that Thou hadst made
Chapter XXIX And I looked narrowly to find, whether seven, or eight times Thou sawest that Thy
Chapter XXX And I heard, O Lord my God, and drank up a drop of sweetness out
Chapter XXXI But they who by Thy Spirit see these things
Chapter XXXII Thanks to Thee, O Lord.
Chapter XXXIII Let Thy works praise Thee, that we may love Thee
Chapter XXXIV We have also examined what Thou willedst to be shadowed forth
Chapter XXXV O Lord God, give peace unto us: for Thou hast given us all things
Chapter XXXVI But the seventh day hath no evening, nor hath it setting
Chapter XXXVII For then shalt Thou rest in us, as now Thou workest in us
Chapter XXXVIII We therefore see these things which Thou madest, because they are

The Confessions Of Saint Augustine

By St. Augustine

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