City of God by Augustine (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
All the pagan philosophies of the City of Man can be summarised as viewing the Ultimate Good as eternal life and the ultimate Evil as eternal death and 'that to achieve the one and escape the other, we must live rightly'. They also claim that happiness may be obtained in this life. This is in contrast to the view of Christianity which looks for true happiness in the next life.
Then Augustine look at the social life that is always connected to both cities. Augustine has a particular focus on the dangers of social interaction, including the hiding of truth; war; and the problems in friendships with men and angels.
And next Augustine begins to look at the subject of peace which is the goal of all creatures.
What grabbed me
Great discussion on peace: 'For peace is so great a good that even in relation to the affairs of earth and of our mortal state no word ever falls more gratefully upon the ear, nothing is desired with greater longing, in fact, nothing better can be found. So if I decide to discourse about it at somewhat greater length, I shall not, I think, impose a burden on my readers, not only because I shall be speaking of the end of the City which is the subject of this work, but also because of the delightfulness of peace which is dear to the heart of all mankind.'
I can't wait for heaven and to be at peace with myself, at peace with mankind, at peace with creation and, most of all, at complete peace with God.
Conclude Book 19 by reading Chapters 13 to 28.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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