Confession Quote by Augustine of Hippo
““. . . I would learn to discern and distinguish the difference between presumption and confession, between those who see what the goal is but not how to get there and those who see the way which leads to the home of bliss, not merely as an end to be perceived but as a realm to live in.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Confessions, Augustine of Hippo, 397 AD
True insight distinguishes between mere assumptions and genuine confession, guiding seekers toward a lived experience of bliss rather than a distant goal.
In simple terms: Know the difference between guessing and true confession.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic understanding over superficial goals.
Themes
spirituality
knowledge
goal‑orientation
confession
bliss
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious study
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
theology
self‑knowledge
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one apply this discernment today?
- What practical steps lead from assumption to true confession?
A Different Perspective
The abstract language may be inaccessible to modern readers.
![“Time takes no holiday. It does not roll idly by, but through our senses works its own wonders in the mind. Time came and went from one day to the next; in its coming and its passing it brought me other hopes and other memories. [quoted in Peter Brown, Augustine of Hippo, p. 54]” quote by Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c2/augustine-of-hippo-2589_change_time-takes-no-holiday-it-does-not-roll-i_22609.jpg)
