What Augustine of Hippo thinks about motivation

@augustine-of-hippo · 28 positions · On ppll ↗

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.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

Filter motivation · Newest first

Topic

All 28religion 13happiness 6government 2motivation 2Addiction 1ambition 1courage 1curiosity 1discipline 1

Sort

NewestOldest

Only Augustine of Hippo on motivation. See everyone on motivation

2 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.

2 positions so far — this page is not yet offered to search engines.

1. c. 413–426 CE

   Our readingRestraining lusts out of love of praise makes people less base but not holy

   Their wordsNevertheless, they who restrain baser lusts, not by the power of the Holy Spirit obtained by the faith of piety, or by the love of intelligible beauty, but by desire of human praise, or, at all events, restrain them better by the love of such praise, are not indeed yet holy, but only less base.

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

3. c. 396–400 CE

   Our readingA will indulged becomes lust, lust served becomes habit, and habit unresisted becomes necessity

   Their wordsFor of a forward will, was a lust made; and a lust served, became custom; and custom not resisted, became necessity.

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