Saint Augustine's philosophical autobiography traces his spiritual journey from a troubled youth to Christian conversion in 4th-century North Africa. Written around 400 CE, this Latin work combines personal reflection with theological inquiry, exploring themes of memory, time, and divine grace. E. B. Pusey's translation captures Augustine's introspective prose as he examines his past sins and spiritual transformation.
Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and Thy wisdom infinite. And Thee would man praise; man, but a particle of Thy creation; man, that bears about him his mortality, the witness of his sin, the witness that Thou resistest the proud: yet would man praise Thee; he, but a particle of Thy creation. Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee. Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which is first, to call on Thee or to praise Thee? and, again, to know Thee or to call on Thee? for who can call on Thee, not knowing Thee? for he that knoweth Thee not, may call on Thee as other than Thou art. Or, is it rather, that we call on Thee that we may know Thee? but how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? or how shall they believe without a preacher? and they that seek the…Continue reading →
This is the E. B. Pusey translation (1838), a public-domain English text. Marginalia presents it unabridged, with chapter navigation, your reading position saved, and optional AI commentary on any passage.
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