Saint Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions of St. Augustine: Autobiography of a Christian Saint and Early Church Father

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…

Our enemies can often correct our faults by their disparagement, just ad the flattery of friends can corrupt us.

But you do not search out our faults ruthlessly, and because of this we hope and believe that one day we shall find a place with you. Yet if any man makes a list of his deserts, what would it be but a list of your gifts?

The man who serves you best is the one who is less intent on hearing from you what he wills to hear from you than on shaping his will according to what he hears from you.

For if we play shepherd to the wind, we find pasture for the devils, because by straying from the truth we give them food for laughter and fill their cup of pleasure.