---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hear, O God. Alas, for man's sin! So…"
description: "\"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 s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/saint-augustine-328_alas_hear-o-god-alas-for-man-s-sin-so-saith-m_930809.png"
---

#  Hear, O God. Alas, for man's sin! So saith man, and Thou…

![“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.” quote by Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/saint-augustine-328_alas_hear-o-god-alas-for-man-s-sin-so-saith-m_930809.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/saint-augustine-328_alas_hear-o-god-alas-for-man-s-sin-so-saith-m_930809.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/714/saint-augustine-328_alas_hear-o-god-alas-for-man-s-sin-so-saith-m_930809.png)

> “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.”

[Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/)

## About This Quote

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

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.

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

> [Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christian-liberty-is-freedom-from-sin-not-freedom-to-sin/)

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

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[Innocent of Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innocent-of-alaska/)

## More by Saint Augustine

> [Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/lust-indulged-became-habit-and-habit-unresisted-became-necessity/)

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