Approval Quote by Saint Augustine
“It is not the being seen of men that is wrong, but doing these things for the purpose of being seen of men. The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation. He does not want to be holy; he only wants to seem to be holy. He is more concerned with his reputation for righteousness than about actually becoming righteous. The approbation of men matters more to him than the approval of God.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: On Christian Doctrine, 397 AD
Seeking approval from others leads to hypocrisy; true righteousness seeks divine, not human, validation.
In simple terms: Human approval drives hypocrisy; seek God’s approval.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize divine over human approval.
Themes
hypocrisy
motivation
spiritual integrity
reputation
faith
Mood
reflective
serious
inspirational
Type
theological
ethical
self‑examining
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal reflection
- community service
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your desire for approval?
- How can you align actions with inner values?
A Different Perspective
Human desire for approval can be deeply ingrained.
