What Augustine of Hippo thinks about happiness

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Christian philosopher and theologian (354 to 430), born in Thagaste in Roman Africa; bishop of Hippo Regius from about 396 to 430; author of the Confessions.

Augustine of Hippo did not write this page.

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Only Augustine of Hippo on happiness. See everyone on happiness

6 dated positions, c. 396–400 CE to c. 413–426 CE, in their own words. Our reading of what Augustine of Hippo has said — not written or endorsed by them.

1. c. 413–426 CE

   Our readingWhat matters is not which ills are suffered but what kind of person suffers them

   Their wordsSo material a difference does it make, not what ills are suffered, but what kind of man suffers them.

   ↗The City of God, Volume I (Books I-XIII; Marcus Dods translation, 1871)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book

3. c. 413–426 CE

   Our readingThose who blame Christianity for their calamities want to live in unrestrained luxury

   Their wordsFor why in your calamities do you complain of Christianity, unless because you desire to enjoy your luxurious licence unrestrained, and to lead an abandoned and profligate life without the interruption of any uneasiness or disaster?

   ↗The City of God, Volume I (Books I-XIII; Marcus Dods translation, 1871)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book

5. c. 413–426 CE

   Our readingThe wicked are more troubled by a bad house than by a bad life

   Their wordsIt grieves them more to own a bad house than a bad life, as if it were man's greatest good to have everything good but himself.

   ↗The City of God, Volume I (Books I-XIII; Marcus Dods translation, 1871)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book

7. c. 413–426 CE

   Our readingIt is a greater good to have a good neighbour at peace than to conquer a bad one in war

   Their wordsBut beyond doubt it is greater felicity to have a good neighbour at peace, than to conquer a bad one by making war.

   ↗The City of God, Volume I (Books I-XIII; Marcus Dods translation, 1871)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book

9. c. 396–400 CE

   Our readingWhoever loves friends and enemies in God loses no one dear, because God cannot be lost

   Their wordsBlessed whoso loveth Thee, and his friend in Thee, and his enemy for Thee. For he alone loses none dear to him, to whom all are dear in Him who cannot be lost.

   ↗Confessions (tr. E. B. Pusey, 1838)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book

11. c. 396–400 CE

    Our readingA happy life is joy in the truth, which is joy in God

    Their wordsThey will as little hesitate to say "in the truth," as to say "that they desire to be happy," for a happy life is joy in the truth: for this is a joying in Thee, Who art the Truth, O God my light, health of my countenance, my God.

    ↗Confessions (tr. E. B. Pusey, 1838)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book