Roman Letters

Augustine of Hippo & Nebridius

11 surviving letters between Augustine of Hippo and Nebridius, spanning c. 386–388.

Augustine of Hippoc. 386

1. Whether I am to regard it as the effect of what I may call your flattering language, or whether the thing be really so, is a point which I am unable to decide. For the impression was sudden, and I am not yet resolved how far it deserves to be believed.

augustine hippo, Letter 3
Augustine of Hippoc. 386

1. It is very wonderful how completely I was taken by surprise, when, on searching to discover which of your letters still remained unanswered, I found only one which held me as your debtor — that, namely, in which you request me to tell you how far in this my leisure, which you suppose to be great, and which you desire to share with me, I am ma...

augustine hippo, Letter 4
Nebridiusc. 387

Is it true, my beloved Augustine, that you are spending your strength and patience on the affairs of your fellow citizens (in Thagaste), and that the leisure from distractions which you so earnestly desired is still withheld from you? Who, I would like to know, are the men who thus take advantage of your good nature, and trespass on your time? I...

augustine hippo, Letter 5
Nebridiusc. 387

1. Your letters I have great pleasure in keeping as carefully as my own eyes. For they are great, not indeed in length, but in the greatness of the subjects discussed in them, and in the great ability with which the truth in regard to these subjects is demonstrated.

augustine hippo, Letter 6
Augustine of Hippoc. 387

Chapter 1. Memory may be exercised independently of such images as are presented by the imagination. 1.

augustine hippo, Letter 7
Nebridiusc. 387

1. As I am in haste to come to the subject of my letter, I dispense with any preface or introduction. When at any time it pleases higher (by which I mean heavenly) powers to reveal anything to us by dreams in our sleep, how is this done, my dear Augustine, or what is the method which they use?

augustine hippo, Letter 8
Augustine of Hippoc. 387

1. Although you know my mind well, you are perhaps not aware how much I long to enjoy your society. This great blessing, however, God will some day bestow on me.

augustine hippo, Letter 9
Augustine of Hippoc. 387

1. No question of yours ever kept me so disturbed while reflecting upon it, as the remark which I read in your last letter, in which you chide me for being indifferent as to making arrangements by which it may be possible for us to live together. A grave charge, and one which, were it not unfounded, would be most perilous.

augustine hippo, Letter 10
Augustine of Hippoc. 388

1. When the question, which has long been brought before me by you with something even of friendly chiding, as to the way in which we might live together, was seriously disturbing my mind, and I had resolved to write to you, and to beg an answer from you bearing exclusively on this subject, and to employ my pen on no other theme pertaining to ou...

augustine hippo, Letter 11
Augustine of Hippoc. 388

1. I do not feel pleasure in writing of the subjects which I was wont to discuss; I am not at liberty to write of new themes. I see that the one would not suit you, and that for the other I have no leisure.

augustine hippo, Letter 13
Augustine of Hippoc. 388

1. I have preferred to reply to your last letter, not because I undervalued your earlier questions, or enjoyed them less, but because in answering you I undertake a greater task than you think. For although you enjoined me to send you a superlatively long letter, I have not so much leisure as you imagine, and as you know I have always wished to...

augustine hippo, Letter 14