The law was therefore given, in order that grace might be sought; grace was given, in order that the law might be fulfilled.
This quote reflects St. Augustine's view that the law reveals our sinfulness and inability to be righteous on our own, compelling us to seek God's grace. According to Augustine, grace is then the necessary power that enables us to fulfill the law through love. Therefore, the law serves to lead us to God's grace, and grace, in turn, allows us to live in accordance with the law.
• The law's purpose: The law, in its original function, was not given to make people righteous through their own efforts, but to reveal their inability to be so. It exposes the inadequacy of human will by demanding perfect love, which we cannot naturally give.
• The role of grace: This exposure of our weakness should drive us to seek God's help. Through grace, our will is liberated and empowered to love and obey God, enabling us to fulfill the law's commands.
• The cycle of law, grace, and fulfillment: The relationship is cyclical: the law shows our weakness, leading us to pray for grace. Grace then heals our will and gives us the ability to fulfill the law. It is a process where faith obtains the Spirit, the Spirit sheds love abroad, and love fulfills the law.
On faith and God
• "You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You".
• "Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe".
• "God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering".
• "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us".
• "He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent".
On virtue and humility
• "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you".
• "This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections".
• "Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues".
• "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels".
• "Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation".
On time and knowledge
• "What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know".
• "Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand".
• "Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new
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