Command Quote by Saint Augustine
“The mind commands the mind to will, and yet, though it be itself, it minds not. What is this monstrous thing? And why is it?”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Confessions by Saint Augustine, 397 AD
The mind tries to control itself but fails, revealing an inner mystery that is both self‑created and ungoverned.
In simple terms: The mind cannot fully command itself.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of self‑control.
Themes
self‑knowledge
philosophy
inner conflict
Mood
contemplative
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- meditation
- psychology
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
metacognition
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you experience inner conflict?
- Can self‑awareness improve self‑governance?
A Different Perspective
The mind may be influenced by external forces beyond conscious control.
![“Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine is too complicated for all the elements to be able to enter into the analytical comparison we wish to make, we separate the more inconvenient [elements], we…” quote by Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d9/jean-le-rond-d-alembert-26487_able_geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics_6945.jpg)
