By Augustin of Hippo
Those things which are objects of use are not all, however, to be loved, but those
Those things which are objects of use are not all, however, to be loved, but those
only which are either united with us in a common relation to God, such as a man or an
angel, or are so related to us as to need the goodness of God through our
instrumentality, such as the body. For assuredly the martyrs did not love the
wickedness of their persecutors, although they used it to attain the favor of God. As,
then, there are four kinds of things that are to be loved,—first, that which is above us;
second, ourselves; third, that which is on a level with us; fourth, that which is beneath
us,—no precepts need be given about the second and fourth of these. For, however far
a man may fall away from the truth, he still continues to love himself, and to love his
own body. The soul which flies away from the unchangeable Light, the Ruler of all
things, does so that it may rule over itself and over its own body; and so it cannot but
love both itself and its own body.
Morever, it thinks it has attained something very great if it is able to lord it over its
companions, that is, other men. For it is inherent in the sinful soul to desire above all
things, and to claim as due to itself, that which is properly due to God only. Now such
love of itself is more correctly called hate. For it is not just that it should desire what
is beneath it to be obedient to it while itself will not obey its own superior; and most
justly has it been said, “He who loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.”2 And
accordingly the soul becomes weak, and endures much suffering about the mortal
body. For, of course, it must love the body, and be grieved at its corruption; and the
immortality and incorruptibility of the body spring out of the health of the soul. Now
the health of the soul is to cling steadfastly to the better part, that is, to the
unchangeable God. But when it aspires to lord it even over those who are by nature its
equals,—that is, its fellow-men,—this is a reach of arrogance utterly intolerable.
---This excerpt comes from On Christian Doctrine in Four Books Book 1 Ch.23 from the “Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church vol.2 (St. Augustin's City of God and and Christian Doctrine) The full book can be freely obtained by visiting http://files.libertyfund.org/files/2053/Schaff_1330-02_EBk_v5.pdf
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