The Confessions of Saint Augustine

The Confessions of Saint Augustine is a book by Augustine of Hippo, first published in the late 4th century. This foundational work of Christian thought traces Augustine’s intellectual and spiritual journey from his early years in Roman North Africa to his conversion and growing commitment to a life of faith. Written as a deeply personal narrative, it blends autobiography, theology, and philosophical reflection, offering an intimate look at a searching mind in a world shaped by classical heritage and emerging Christian belief. Readers drawn to early Christian literature, timeless spiritual writings, and influential philosophical texts will find the book both challenging and rewarding. Across its pages, Augustine reflects on desire, ambition, moral struggle, and the pursuit of truth. He recounts his youthful restlessness, his engagement with different schools of thought, and his search for meaning that eventually leads him toward a profound encounter with the divine. His meditations on memory, time, and human frailty are among the most celebrated passages in Western literature, and they continue to speak to readers seeking clarity, depth, and spiritual grounding. Because Augustine shaped much of medieval and later Christian theology, this work remains essential for anyone studying philosophy, religion, or the history of ideas. This is a 19th-century translation by Edward Bouverie Pusey.