Saint Augustine of Hippo — Confessions

You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but h…

Give what you command, and command what you will.

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient and ever new! Late have I loved you! And, behold, you were within me, and I out of myself, and there I searched for you.

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

For the rejection of heretics makes the tenets of Thy Church and sound doctrine to stand out more clearly. For there must also be heresies, that the approved may be made manifest among the weak.

I had prayed to you for chastity and said give me chastity and continence, but not yet. For I was afraid that you would answer my prayer at once and cure me too soon of the disease of kust, which I wanted satisfied, not…