The Confessions of Saint Augustine (Outler)/Book II/Chapter I


 * He deplores the sins of his youth.

I desire now to call to mind my past foulness, and the carnal corruptions of my soul; not because I love them. but that I may love Thee, O my God. For love of Thy love I do it; recalling my most wicked ways in the bitter­ness of my remembrance, that Thou mayest grow sweet unto me; (Thou sweetness never failing, Thou blessed and tran­quil sweetness); and gathering me again out of that my dissipation, wherein I was torn piecemeal, while turned away from Thy Unity, I lost myself among many things. For I even burnt in my youth heretofore, to be satiated in things below; and I dared to grow wild again, with these various and shadowy loves: my beauty consumed away, and I stank in Thine eyes; pleasing myself, and desirous to please in the eyes of men.