Quod voluntas humana sine gratia inefficax sit ad bona opera.
The Collapse of Self-Confidence
The soul confesses that past hope in its own strength was empty, and that divine illumination now reveals where self-confidence was greatest, ability was least.
For now I have confessed to you — praise of my life, my God, strength of my salvation — I was once hoping in my own strength, which however was no strength at all. And when I wanted to run like this — where I believed I could stand more firmly, there I fell more heavily; and I ended up further behind, not ahead; and what I thought I could attain retreated farther from me. So through many similar trials, testing my strength, I now recognize — because you have enlightened me — that where I was more confident I could manage on my own, there I was always less able.
The Gap Between Willing and Doing
Broken plans and inner questioning expose the root of failure: the will itself is absent because it was grounded in self-trust rather than grace.
I would say, 'I'll do this, I'll accomplish that' — but afterward neither this nor that came about. Was the will present? The ability was not.✦ Was the ability present? The will was not present — because I was trusting in my own strength.
Confession and Petition for Grace
The chapter closes with a confession that no one is strengthened by their own power, that human steps are directed by God, and a prayer that God's merciful will would accomplish salvation.
Now, then, I confess to you, Lord God, Father of heaven and earth, that a person is not strengthened by their own strength (1 Kings 2:9), so that before you the foolish presumption of all flesh may boast.✦ It is not within a person's power to will what they can do, or to be able to do what they will, or even to know what they will and can do. Rather, a person's steps are directed by you — and I mean the steps of those who confess that they are directed not by themselves, but by you.✦ It is not within a person's power to will what they can do, or to be able to do what they will, or even to know what they will and can do. Rather, a person's steps are directed by you — and I mean the steps of those who confess that they are directed not by themselves, but by you.✦✦ We beseech the depths of your mercy, Lord, that you would save what you have created. For if you are willing, you are able to save us; and in your will lies the power of our salvation.✦✦
Read the original Latin
Ut enim jam tibi confessus sum, laus vitae meae, Deus meus, virtus salutis meae, sperabam aliquando in virtute mea, quae tamen non erat virtus. Et cum sic volui currere; ubi magis stare credebam, ibi magis cecidi; factusque sum magis retro, et non ante; et quod credebam consequi, longius elongavit a me. Sic per multa similia vires meas probans cognosco nunc, quia illuminasti me, quoniam ubi magis credidi posse per me, minus semper ibi potui. Dicebam enim, Hoc faciam, illud perficiam; fiebatque post nec hoc, nec illud. Aderat voluntas? non erat facultas. Aderat facultas? non aderat voluntas; quoniam de meis viribus confidebam.
Nunc autem confiteor tibi, Domine Deus, pater coeli et terrae, quia non in fortitudine sua roborabitur vir (I Reg. II, 9), ut glorietur ante te stulta praesumptio omnis carnis. Nec est hominis velle quod possit, aut posse quod velit, vel scire quod velit et possit; sed potius a te gressus hominis diriguntur, illorum, inquam, qui non a se, sed a te dirigi se confitentur. Obsecramus itaque viscera misericordiae tuae, velis, Domine, salvare quod creasti: quoniam si vis, potes nos salvare; et in tua voluntate virtus est nostrae salutis.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Rom.7.18 — For I know that good does not dwell in me—that is, in my flesh. For the willing is present with me, but the working out of the good is not.
- ↩1Kgs.2.9 — And now, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man, and you will know what you should do to him; bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood.
- ↩1Kgs.2.9 — And now, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man, and you will know what you should do to him; bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood.
- ↩Prov.16.9 — The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
- ↩Jer.10.23 — I know, O LORD, that the way of a man is not his own; it is not for a man who walks to direct his own steps.
- ↩Ps.123.3 — Be gracious to us, LORD, be gracious to us, for we have had more than enough contempt.
- ↩Matt.8.2-Matt.8.3 — And behold, a leper came and was bowing before him, saying, 'Lord, if you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.' Matt.8.3 — And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Pseudo-Augustine Soliloquia animae ad Deum (Meditations of the Soul to God) companion
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