Letter 2: 1. We are, I suppose, both agreed in maintaining that all things with which our bodily senses acquaint us are incapable of abiding unchanged for a single moment, but, on the contrary, are moving and in perpetual transition, and have no present reality, that is, to use the language of Latin philosophy, do not exist. Accordingly, the true and divi...

Letter 2 (386 AD) To Zenobius — Augustine sends greetings. 1. I think we both agree that everything our bodily senses encounter is incapable of staying the same for even a single moment. Everything is in motion, in perpetual transition, with no lasting reality — or, to use the language of Latin philosophy, these things do not truly "exist." True, divine philosophy therefore tells us to restrain and overcome our love for such things, since that love is deeply dangerous. The goal is for the mind, even while still using this body, to be fully occupied with things that are eternally the same — things whose power to attract does not depend on fleeting charm. All that is true. And my mind, without the help of the senses, sees you as you really are — as someone who can be loved without anxiety. Yet I have to admit: when you are physically absent and separated by distance, I miss the pleasure of meeting and seeing you, and I deeply want it while it is still attainable. This weakness of mine (for that is what it must be) is one that, if I know you at all, you are actually pleased to find in me. And though you wish every good thing for your closest friends, I suspect you would be more afraid than happy to see them cured of this particular weakness. But if your soul has reached such strength that you can both recognize this snare and smile at those caught in it — then you are truly great, and very different from me. As for myself, as long as I miss someone who is absent, I want them to miss me too. At the same time, I watch myself carefully, striving to set my love as little as possible on anything that can be torn from me against my will. Since I consider this my duty, let me remind you — whatever state of mind you may be in — that the discussion we began together must be finished, if we care about each other at all. I absolutely refuse to let it be finished with Alypius [Augustine's closest friend, later Bishop of Thagaste] instead, even if he wanted that. But he does not want it. He is not the kind of person who would join me in sending letter after letter to keep you with us, when you are declining under the pressure of some necessity unknown to us.

Letter 2 (A.D. 386) To Zenobius Augustine Sends Greeting. 1. We are, I suppose, both agreed in maintaining that all things with which our bodily senses acquaint us are incapable of abiding unchanged for a single moment, but, on the contrary, are moving and in perpetual transition, and have no present reality, that is, to use the language of Latin philosophy, do not exist. Accordingly, the true and divine philosophy admonishes us to check and subdue the love of these things as most dangerous and disastrous, in order that the mind, even while using this body, may be wholly occupied and warmly interested in those things which are ever the same, and which owe their attractive power to no transient charm. Although this is all true, and although my mind, without the aid of the senses, sees you as you really are, and as an object which may be loved without disquietude, nevertheless I must own that when you are absent in body, and separated by distance, the pleasure of meeting and seeing you is one which I miss, and which, therefore, while it is attainable, I earnestly covet. This my infirmity (for such it must be) is one which, if I know you aright, you are well pleased to find in me; and though you wish every good thing for your best and most loved friends, you rather fear than desire that they should be cured of this infirmity. If, however, your soul has attained to such strength that you are able both to discern this snare, and to smile at those who are caught therein, truly you are great, and different from what I am. For my part, as long as I regret the absence of any one from me, so long do I wish him to regret my absence. At the same time, I watch and strive to set my love as little as possible on anything which can be separated from me against my will. Regarding this as my duty, I remind you, in the meantime, whatever be your frame of mind, that the discussion which I have begun with you must be finished, if we care for each other. For I can by no means consent to its being finished with Alypius, even if he wished it. But he does not wish this; for he is not the man to join with me now in endeavouring, by as many letters as we could send, to detain you with us, when you decline this, under the pressure of some necessity to us unknown. About this page Source. Translated by J.G. Cunningham. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 1. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1887.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1102002.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.