If we are given gold, would we not test it to determine it's value? If we doubted its genuineness - we would test it by fire...and so God with us.

Faith and hope...are the wings by which our souls, rising above the world, are lifted up to God.

Were the judgments of mankind correct, custom would be regulated by the good. But it is often far otherwise in point of fact; for, whatever the many are seen to do, forthwith obtains the force of custom. But human affairs have scarcely ever been so happily constituted as that the better course pleased the greater number. Hence the private vices of the multitude have generally resulted in public error, or rather that common consent in vice which these worthy men would have to be law.

God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray.

Prayers will never reach God unless they are founded on free mercy.

Now the great thing is this: we are consecrated and dedicated to God in order that we may thereafter think, speak, meditate, and do, nothing except to his glory. For a sacred thing may not be applied to profane uses without marked injury to him.

For what is idolatry if not this: to worship the gifts in place of the Giver himself?