QUOTATION: Temptation

The devil’s snare does not catch you, unless you are first caught by the devil’s bait.

--St. Ambrose, Explanation of Psalm 118, 14:37

QUOTATION: Souls

It is better to save souls for the Lord than to save treasures.

--St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: The Real Enemy

Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies.

-- St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: The Protection of Angels

But if these beings, angels, guard you, they do so because they have been summoned by your prayers.

--St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: Church and State

Bishops must not rashly assail kings, if there be no grave sins for which the latter deserve reproach; but, if there be grave sins, the bishop must not spare, that the offenders may be corrected by his just remonstrances.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: What is Impossible to God?

What is impossible to God? Not that which is difficult to His power, but that which is contrary to His nature.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: Guardian Angel

Every soul at the moment it is infused into the body, is entrusted into the keeping of an Angel.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: Speaking of Christ

When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: Freedom of Speech

It is not fitting for an emperor to deny freedom of speech, or for a bishop not to say what he thinks. There is no quality in emperors so popular and estimable as the willingness to cherish freedom even in those whom you have subdued on the battlefield. The difference between good and bad emperors is that the good love freedom, the bad slavery.

--St. Ambrose, Letters, 40.

QUOTATION: Witness

We believe fishermen, not dialecticians.

-St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: Chastity

Chastity will be lost where the distinction between the sexes is not observed.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: Severe Self-Judgement

There are, again, some who think that it is penitence to abstain from the heavenly sacraments. These are too cruel judges of themselves, who prescribe a penalty for themselves but refuse the remedy, who ought to be mourning over their self-imposed penalty, because it deprives them of heavenly grace.

--St. Ambrose of Milan, On Repentance, Book 2

QUOTATION: Presumption of God's Mercy

Others think that licence is granted them to sin, because the hope of penitence is before them, whereas penitence is the remedy, not an incentive to sin. For the salve is necessary for the wound, not the wound for the salve, since a salve is sought because of the wound, the wound is not wished for on account of the salve. The hope which is put off to a future season is but feeble, for every season is uncertain, and hope does not outlive all time.

--St. Ambrose of Milan, On Repentence, Book 2

QUOTATION: Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Perhaps you say, Why are the wicked joyous? Why do they live in luxury? Why do they not toil with me? It is because they who have not put down their names to strive for the crown are not bound to undergo the labors of the contest. They who have not gone down into the race-course do not annoint themselves with oil nor get covered with dust. For those whom glory awaits trouble is at hand. The perfumed spectators are wont to look on, not to join in the struggle, nor to endure the sun, the heat, the dust, and the showers.

--St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOATION: Evil Inclinations

Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies.

--St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: Healing

No one heals himself by wounding another.

-- Saint Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: Christ is All for All

In Christ we are all things, He is everything to us. If you have wounds to heal, He is a physician; if fever scorches you, He is a fountain. Would you punish evil doing, He is justice. If you need help, He is strength; if you fear death, He is life; if you hunger, He is food.

-- St. Ambrose of Milan

QUOTATION: Ignorance

Ignorance is no excuse when we have neglected to learn what we are obliged to know.

--St. Ambrose

QUOTATION: Salvation

It did not please God to save his people through dialectic.

--St. Ambrose, De fide

QUOTATION: Difficult People

When we find ourselves in company with quarrelsome, eccentric individuals, people who openly and unblushingly say the most shocking things, difficult to put up with, we should take refuge in silence, and the wisest plan is not to reply to people whose behaviour is so preposterous.

--St. Ambrose of Milan