Confessions of Saint Augustine Book II

I took pleasure in the same vices not only for the enjoyment of what I did, but also for the applause I won

I was afraid that innocence would be taken for cowardice and chastity for weakness

The evil in me was foul, but I loved it

The eye is attracted to beautiful objects, by gold and silver and all such things

It is gratifying to be held in esteem by other men and to have the power of giving them orders and gaining the mastery over them. This is also the reason why revenge is sweet

Friendship among men, too, is a delightful bond, uniting many souls in one

If any part of one of those pears passed my lips, it was the sin that gave it flavor

Cruelty is the weapon of the powerful, used to make others fear them

Fear shrinks from any sudden, unwonted danger which threatens the things that it loves, for it’s only care is safet

Grief eats away its heart for the loss of things which it took pleasure in desiring

Could I enjoy doing wrong for no other reason than that it was wrong?

We do not easily laugh when we are alone