---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi…"
description: "\"Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum opponitur, ut interna nostra facies in ipsa videatur. Holy scripture is placed before the eyes of ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png"
---

#  Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum…

![“Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum opponitur, ut interna nostra facies in ipsa videatur. Holy scripture is placed before the eyes of our mind like a mirror, so that we may view our inner face therein.” quote by Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png)

> “Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum opponitur, ut interna nostra facies in ipsa videatur. Holy scripture is placed before the eyes of our mind like a mirror, so that we may view our inner face therein.”

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Holy scripture reflects our inner self like a mirror.

**In simple terms:** Scripture shows our inner face.

Key Takeaway

Use scripture for self‑reflection.

Themes

spirituality self‑knowledge reflection

Mood

contemplative reverent

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal meditation
- spiritual counseling

Key Concepts

theology metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

- How does this metaphor guide your inner work?
- What inner truths have you discovered?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations vary across traditions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Eyes Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-mind/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-scripture-598839/) [Holy scriptures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-scriptures/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Scriptura Sacra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptura-sacra-4587627/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Scripture Placed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture-placed-4587628/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/)

## Related quotes

> [“The Holy Scripture is a holy instruction of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-scripture-is-a-holy-instruction-of-god/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [It is unlawful to add anything to the words of Holy Scripture regarding the sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/it-is-unlawful-to-add-anything-to-the-words-of-holy-scripture/)

[Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/)

> [Because I am a Christian, therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/because-i-am-a-christian-therefore-every-day-in-which-i-do-not/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [No power of earth, or hell, men or devils, can possibly stand against the word of God; and hence it is the very height…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-henry-mackintosh/no-power-of-earth-or-hell-men-or-devils-can-possibly-stand-against/)

[Charles Henry Mackintosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-henry-mackintosh/)

> [“The first step of grace to seek knowledge begins with the reading of the Holy Scripture.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-first-step-of-grace-to-seek-knowledge-begins-with-the-reading-of/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Holy Scripture is the highest authority for every believer, the standard of faith and the foundation for reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wycliffe/holy-scripture-is-the-highest-authority-for-every-believer-the/)

[John Wycliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wycliffe/)

> [That it has pleased God to make Holy Scripture obscure in certain places lest, if it were perfectly clear to all, it might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-vii/that-it-has-pleased-god-to-make-holy-scripture-obscure-in-certain/)

[Pope Gregory VII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-vii/)

> [It seems to me that it was well said by Madama Serenissima, and insisted on by your reverence, that the Holy Scripture cannot err,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/it-seems-to-me-that-it-was-well-said-by-madama-serenissima-and/)

[Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/)

> [We corrupt the Word of God most dangerously, when we throw any doubt on the plenary inspiration of any part of Holy Scripture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/we-corrupt-the-word-of-god-most-dangerously-when-we-throw-any-doubt/)

[J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/)

> [I am inclined to think that the authority of Holy Scripture is intended to convince men of those truths which are necessary for their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/i-am-inclined-to-think-that-the-authority-of-holy-scripture-is/)

[Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/)

> [In a word, the Holy Scripture is the highest and best of books, abounding in comfort under all afflictions and trials. It teaches us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-a-word-the-holy-scripture-is-the-highest-and-best-of-books/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [The reading of the word of God should be performed in solitude, in order that the whole mind of the reader might be plunged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seraphim-of-sarov/the-reading-of-the-word-of-god-should-be-performed-in-solitude-in/)

[Seraphim of Sarov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seraphim-of-sarov/)

> [Every word of Holy Scripture was a love letter from God directed very personally to us and he asked us whether we loved Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/every-word-of-holy-scripture-was-a-love-letter-from-god-directed-very/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [“Make time to study the Holy Scripture.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/make-time-to-study-the-holy-scripture/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Jesus Christ, as he is attested to us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God whom we have to hear, and whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/jesus-christ-as-he-is-attested-to-us-in-holy-scripture-is-the-one/)

[Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/)

## More by Pope Gregory I

> [He who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exemplify the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/he-who-is-required-by-the-necessity-of-his-position-to-speak-the/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [I despise the proper constructions and cases, because I think it very unfitting that the words of the celestial oracle should be restricted by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/i-despise-the-proper-constructions-and-cases-because-i-think-it-very/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [The universe is not rich enough to buy the vote of an honest man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/the-universe-is-not-rich-enough-to-buy-the-vote-of-an-honest-man/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [If we are, in fact, now occupied in good deeds, we should not attribute the strength with which we are doing them to ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/if-we-are-in-fact-now-occupied-in-good-deeds-we-should-not-attribute/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [Now if the wearing of fine and precious robes were not a fault, word of God would never have so carefully expressed this. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/now-if-the-wearing-of-fine-and-precious-robes-were-not-a-fault-word/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [“He must, therefore, be the model for everyone. He must be devoted entirely to the example of good living. He must be dead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/he-must-therefore-be-the-model-for-everyone-he-must-be-devoted/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [“Necessity demands that one should carefully examine who it is that comes to the position of spiritual authority; and coming solemnly to this point,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/necessity-demands-that-one-should-carefully-examine-who-it-is-that/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [“Pope Gregory believed that successful pastoral leadership required a balance between the contemplation of the isolated ascetic and the action of the well-trained administrator.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/pope-gregory-believed-that-successful-pastoral-leadership-required-a/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [What do they not see, who see Him Who sees all things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/what-do-they-not-see-who-see-him-who-sees-all-things/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/there-are-in-truth-three-states-of-the-converted-the-beginning-the/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [“For it is no doubt impossible to eradicate everything at once from their obstinate minds, because he who endeavours to reach the highest place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/for-it-is-no-doubt-impossible-to-eradicate-everything-at-once-from/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [“The spiritual director should not reduce his attention to the internal life because of external occupations, nor should he relinquish his care for external…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/the-spiritual-director-should-not-reduce-his-attention-to-the/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [The bliss of the elect in heaven would not be perfect unless they were able to look across the abyss and enjoy the agonies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/the-bliss-of-the-elect-in-heaven-would-not-be-perfect-unless-they/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [Whatsoever one would understand what he hears must hasten to put into practice what he has heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/whatsoever-one-would-understand-what-he-hears-must-hasten-to-put-into/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

> [Ignorance is a dangerous and spiritual poison, which all men ought warily to shun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/ignorance-is-a-dangerous-and-spiritual-poison-which-all-men-ought/)

[Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

[Explore all 46 Pope Gregory I quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/)

## More Bible quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/)

[Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/)

> [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/)

[Michael Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arnold/)

> [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/)

[Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/)

> [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/)

[Robert A. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-peterson/)

> [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/)

[Stephen Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-taylor/)

> [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/)

[Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/)

> [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/)

[Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/)

> [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/)

[Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/)

> [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/)

[Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/)

> [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/)

[J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/)

> [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/)

[David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/)

> [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/)

[John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/)

[Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum opponitur, ut interna nostra facies in ipsa videatur. Holy scripture is placed before the eyes of our mind like a mirror, so that we may view our inner face therein.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pope Gregory I"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quoddam-speculum-opponitur-ut/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bible"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quoddam-speculum-opponitur-ut/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/pope-gregory-i-14606_bible_scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quod_2161447.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam speculum opponitur, ut interna nostra facies in ipsa videatur…” — Pope Gregory I",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pope Gregory I",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Scriptura sacra mentis oculis quasi quoddam...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quoddam-speculum-opponitur-ut/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/scriptura-sacra-mentis-oculis-quasi-quoddam-speculum-opponitur-ut/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
