Why is it that man desires to be made sad, beholding doleful and tragical things, which yet himself would by no means suffer?
Saint AugustineThe human race is inquisitive about other people's lives, but negligent to correct their own.
Saint AugustineI will plant my feet on that step where my parents put me as a child, until self-evident truth comes to light.
Saint AugustineIf I am given a formula, and I am ignorant of its meaning, it cannot teach me anything, but if I already know it what does the formula teach me?
Saint AugustineOn the altar you are looking at the same thing as you saw there last night. You have not heard, however, what this is, what it signifies, or about the greatness of the reality of which it is a sacrament. Your eyes are looking at bread and cup. This is the evidence before your physical sight. But your faith must be instructed concerning it- this bread being Christ 's Body and the cup containing His Blood. Though perhaps these words may be enough to initiate faith, faith must be further instructed in accordance with the Prophet's words: 'Believe that you may understand'
Saint Augustine