Alas Quote by Saint Augustine
“Hear, O God. Alas, for man's sin! So saith man, and Thou pitiest him; for Thou madest him, but sin is in him Thou madest not. Who remindeth me of the sins of my infancy? for in Thy sight none is pure from sin, not even the infant whose life is but a day upon the earth.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Confessions by Saint Augustine, c. 397 AD
Human nature is inherently sinful, yet God creates humanity; sin originates within us, not from divine will.
In simple terms: Humans are sinful by nature, not because God makes them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal responsibility for sin.
Themes
theology
human nature
divine justice
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Original sin
free will
divine compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish personal guilt from perceived divine judgment?
- Can compassion be reconced with the concept of inherent sin?
A Different Perspective
Sin is also a result of external influences, not solely internal.
![“That was the birth of sin. Not doing it, but KNOWING about it. Before the apple, [Adam and Eve] had shut their eyes and their minds had gone dark. Now, they peeped and pried and imagined. They watched themselves.” quote by D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/238/d-h-lawrence-426_adam_that-was-the-birth-of-sin-not-doing-it-b_705977.jpg)
