Quote by: Augustine of Hippo

Hence to be happy is nothing but not to be in need, that is, to be wise. But if you seek what wisdom is, reason has already explained and declared this as far as presently possible. For wisdom is nothing but the measure of the soul, that is, that by which the mind is liberated so that it neither runs over into too much nor falls short of fullness. For there is a running over into luxuries, tyrannies, acts of pride, and other such things whereby the souls of unrestrained and unhappy men think they get for themselves pleasure and power. But there is a falling short of fullness through baseness, fear, sorrow, passion, and other things, of whatever kind, whereby unhappy men even admit that they are unhappy.


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Author Bio


  • NameAugustine of Hippo
  • Descriptionearly Christian theologian and philosopher
  • AliasesSaint Augustine; Saint Austin
  • BornNovember 13, 354
  • DiedAugust 28, 430
  • CountryAncient Rome
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Theologian; Writer; Autobiographer; Music Theorist