Chapter XXXIX.—Of the Vice of
Those Who, While Pleasing Themselves, Displease God.
64. Within also, within is another evil,
arising out of the same kind of temptation; whereby they become
empty who please themselves in themselves, although they please
not, or displease, or aim at pleasing others. But in pleasing
themselves, they much displease Thee, not merely taking pleasure in
things not good as if they were good, but in Thy good things as
though they were their own; or even as if in Thine, yet as though
of their own merits; or even as if though of Thy grace, yet not
with friendly rejoicings, but as envying that grace to others.
965
In all these
and similar perils and labours Thou perceivest the trembling of my
heart, and I rather feel my wounds to be cured by Thee than not
inflicted by me.
965
See his
De Civ. Dei
, v. 20, where he
compares the truly pious man, who attributes all his good to
God’s mercy, “giving thanks for what in him is healed, and
pouring out prayers for the healing of that which is yet
unhealed,” with the philosophers who make their chief end
pleasure or human glory.