Stricken with exceeding grief, he remembers the dissolute passions in which, in his sixteenth year, he used to indulge.Ĭoncerning his father, a freeman of Thagaste, the assister of his son's studies, and on the admonitions of his mother on the preservation of chastity. Men desire to observe the rules of learning, but neglect the eternal rules of everlasting safety. He continues on the unhappy method of training youth in literary subjects. He disapproves of the mode of educating youth, and he points out why wickedness is attributed to the Gods by the poets. He entreats God, that whatever useful things he learned as a boy may be dedicated to him. Why he despised Greek literature, and easily learned Latin. He delighted in latin studies and the empty fables of the poets, but hated the elements of literature and the Greek language. Siezed by disease, his mother being troubled, he earnestly demands baptism, which on recovery is postponed-his father not as yet believing in Christ.īeing compelled, he gave his attention to learning but fully acknowledges that this was the work of God. Through a love of ball-playing and shows, he neglects his studies and the injunctions of his parents. That when a boy he learned to speak, not by any set method, but from the acts and words of his parents.Ĭoncerning the hatred of learning, the love of play, and the fear of being whipped noticeable in boys: and of the folly of our elders and masters. He shows by example that even infancy is prone to sin. He describes his infancy, and lauds the protection and eternal providence of God. He seeks rest in God, and pardon of his sins. The majesty of God is supreme, and his virtues inexplicable.

That the God whom we invoke is in us, and we in him.Įverywhere God wholly filleth all things, but neither heaven nor Earth containeth him. He proclaims the greatness of God, whom he desires to seek and invoke, being awakened by him.

St augustine of hippo confessions