If, on the contrary, they hear from you about themselves…
““If, on the contrary, they hear from you about themselves, they will be in no position to say, “The Lord is lying.” Is hearing the truth about oneself from you anything different from knowing oneself? And can anyone have this self-knowledge and still protest, “It is not true,” unless he himself is lying?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Augustine questions whether hearing truth about oneself from another differs from self‑knowledge, and whether one can deny truth while being honest.
In simple terms: Self‑knowledge and external truth are intertwined; denial may involve self‑deception.
Key Takeaway
Examine how you recognize truth in yourself and others.
Themes
philosophy
theology
self‑knowledge
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- ethical debate
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
truth
self‑deception
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to truly know yourself?
- Can you be honest about yourself without self‑deception?
A Different Perspective
The discussion assumes a clear distinction between truth and lying, which can be philosophically contested.