# “This is true happiness” by Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-430)

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2024/05/07/this-is-true-happiness-by-augustine-of-hippo-a-d-354-430/
- Published: 2024-05-07T11:00:00-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“O Lord, far be it from the heart of Your servant who confesses to You, far be it
from me to think that whatever joy I feel makes me truly happy.

For there is a joy that is not given to those who do not love You, but only to those
who love You for Your own sake.

You yourself are their joy.

Happiness is to rejoice _in_ You and _for_ You and _because_ of You.

This is true happiness and there is no other.

Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, 
but theirs is not true joy.

Yet their minds are set upon something akin to joy.”

–Augustine of Hippo, [_Confessions_](https://amzn.to/4b37kTM), trans. R.S. Pine-
Coffin (New York: Penguin, 1961), 228-229). (10.22)

More on [Joy](https://tollelege.net/category/joy/)