Faith Quote by Augustine of Hippo
““the feeble mind of man did not presume to resist the clear evidence of truth, but yielded its infirmity to wholesome doctrines, as to a health-giving medicine, until it obtained from God, by its faith and piety, the grace needed to heal it, they who have just ideas, and express them in suitable language, would need to use no long discourse to refute the errors of empty conjecture. But this mental infirmity is now more prevalent and hurtful than ever, to such an extent that even after the truth has been as fully demonstrated as man can prove it to man, they hold for the very truth their own unreasonable fancies, either on account of their great blindness, which prevents them from seeing what is plainly set before them, or on account of their opinionative obstinacy, which prevents them from acknowledging the force of what they do see.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: On the Trinity, Book 2, 5th century
Human intellect resists truth, preferring familiar doctrines; faith and humility are needed to heal.
In simple terms: People cling to familiar ideas, resisting truth.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and openness to truth.
Themes
theology
philosophy
human nature
truth
faith
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious study
- personal development
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
intellectual humility
dogmatism
spiritual growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humility aid understanding?
- What barriers prevent acceptance of truth?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming bias requires effort and openness.
![“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)
