The Confessions

The Confessions is an autobiographical work written by Saint Augustine of Hippo in 400. It is considered the first Western Christian autobiography and inspired later writers during the Middle Ages.

Through thirteen books, written in Latin, the work describes the sins committed in youth by St. Augustine and his subsequent conversion to Christianity.

The book does not cover the entire life of St. Augustine, but rather from childhood to the age of 40. Through a series of reflections and spiritual meditations, we enter into the development of St. Augustine's thought.

He repents of all the sins he has committed in his youth, full of immorality and with a dubious sexual morality.

St. Augustine had believed in Manichean religion and astrology. However, thanks to a series of friends, he discovered that astrology was harmful and came to know Christianity, to which he converted.

After the first books narrating the life of St. Augustine, the last ones reflect deeply and are more philosophical.

This edition of The Confessions is based on E. B. Pusey's translation.

"To Carthage I came, where there sang all around me in my ears a cauldron of unholy loves. I loved not yet, yet I loved to love, and out of a deep-seated want, I hated myself for wanting not. I sought what I might love, in love with loving, and safety I hated, and a way without snares".