Augustine of Hippo quotes for UPSC

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you.

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.

We make a ladder of our vices, if we trample those same vices underfoot.

If thou shouldst say, 'It is enough, I have reached perfection,' all is lost. For it is the function of perfection to make one know one's imperfection.

Love the sinner and hate the sin.

Charity is the root of all good works.

For if a thing is not diminished by being shared with others, it is not rightly owned if it is only owned and not shared.

An unjust law is no law at all.

It is no advantage to be near the light if the eyes are closed.

The superfluities of the rich are the necessaries of the poor. They who possess superfluities, possess the goods of others.

What is love's perfection? To love our enemies, and to love them to the end that they may be our brothers.

The inclination to seek the truth is safer than the presumption which regards unknown things as known.

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.

Bad times, hard times, this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: Such as we are, such are the times.

Do not go outside yourself, return to yourself: truth dwells in the interiority of man and, if you find that your nature is changeable, transcend yourself too.

People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.

What is anger? A lust for revenge. What is hatred? An anger grown old.

The dove loves even when it attacks; the wolf hates even when it flatters.