Becoming a man Quote by Saint Augustine of Hippo
““The aim of our orator, then, when speaking of things that are just and holy and good--and he should not speak of anything else--the aim, as I say, that he pursues to the best of his ability when he speaks of these things is to be listened to with understanding, with pleasure, and with obedience. He should be in no doubt that any ability he has and however much he has derives more from his devotion to prayer than his dedication to oratory; and so, by praying for himself and for those he is about to address, he must become a man of prayer before becoming a man of words.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: On the Art of Oratory, 5th century
A speaker should prioritize divine truth and humility, praying before speaking, so listeners receive his words with understanding and obedience.
In simple terms: Speak with prayerful humility to be truly heard.
Key Takeaway
Pray before speaking to align words with higher purpose.
Themes
humility
faith
communication
leadership
Mood
reflective
spiritual
inspirational
Type
philosophical
religious
When to use this quote
- preaching
- public speaking
- teaching
- leadership training
Key Concepts
theology
rhetoric
devotion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance spiritual devotion with effective rhetoric?
- What role does humility play in modern leadership?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on prayer may limit practical rhetorical skill development.
